Minnesota’s defensive plans took a major hit in Week 1. Starting linebacker Blake Cashman left the opener with a non-contact hamstring injury, and by September 11, the team was weighing a move that could sideline him for a month. Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed the roster decision is under review.
At the same time, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero told KFAN’s “Power Trip Morning Show” that an injured reserve placement is “a real consideration” before the Vikings face Atlanta in Week 2.
**Vikings Face Tough Call on Blake Cashman Ahead of Week 2**
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Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
A stint on injured reserve would automatically keep Cashman out four games. With Minnesota’s bye set for Week 6, a Saturday move would give the club roster flexibility without extending his absence. Pelissero underscored the timing, noting that IR decisions typically come just before the weekend. That makes September 14 the pivotal date for Minnesota’s front office.
> “First of all, Blake Cashman might end up on injured reserve, which would knock him out for four games. It sounds like that’s a real consideration,” Pelissero said on September 11 on KFAN’s Power Trip Morning Show (per [Heavy](https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/blake-cashman-injury-update-nfl-news/)).
Cashman’s background makes the decision even more delicate. The Eden Prairie native signed a three-year, $22.5M deal in March 2024 after posting two healthy seasons in Houston. But earlier in his career, he landed on IR four times with the Jets, appearing in only 14 games across three seasons. Even last year, he missed three games with a turf-toe injury, during which Minnesota’s defense surrendered nearly 400 yards per contest in losses to the Rams and Lions.
The Vikings have already leaned on veteran Eric Wilson, who stepped into the green-dot role after Cashman exited Sunday’s game against Chicago. Wilson produced five tackles, a tackle for loss, and a partially blocked punt in the comeback. O’Connell called him “a prototype of a veteran guy” who can stabilize the defense when injuries strike. Minnesota must decide if Wilson’s resurgence can carry them through another Cashman layoff.