Rumors or Reality: Minnesota Vikings Starting Linebacker Unlikely to Play vs Lions?

The Minnesota Vikings will play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, in the biggest game of the NFL schedule this weekend. It will go down at U.S. Bank Stadium, with possibly the most expensive and anticipated regular season contest to ever be played at the Vikings’ (relatively new) home venue.

Injuries are absolutely a concern for the Vikings, as we inch closer to October 20. Not only are there questions surrounding top offensive talents like Aaron Jones and T.J. Hockenson, but rumors started flying earlier this week that inside linebacker Blake Cashman was also in danger of missing Sunday’s crucial matchup between Minnesota and Detroit.

Blake Cashman status vs Detroit Lions uncertain…?

Those rumors moved closer to reality, early Wednesday afternoon, when Andrew Krammer (Star Tribune) reported that Cashman was likely to be ruled out for, prior to Noon, Sunday. Moments later, head coach Kevin O’Connell came to the podium.

Sources: Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman is dealing with turf toe and isn't expected to play Sunday vs the Lions. His status for the next game, against the Rams the following Thursday, is also in doubt from what I've heard. Story filed to @StarTribune @StribSports

— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) October 16, 2024

The Minnesota Vikings head coach would not, however, rule the Eden Prairie native out vs the Lions. Instead, he confirmed Krammer’s report that the injury is “turf toe”, but refused to go as far as the Star Tribune beat writer’s report.

Related: 4 Stats to Know for Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Matchup, Analyzing Impact

KOC told media members gathered at TCO Performance Center that Blake’s injury was “day to day – week to week”… whatever that means.

Update on Blake Cashman pic.twitter.com/Gtu2tMYHwA

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 16, 2024

“On Blake Cashman, he’s dealing with a little turf toe that kind of came up in the London game. I thought it was just a little bit sore, leaving London. We went through the bye week, and kind of established that that’s what it is. He will be really, kinda, day to day, week to week, as he deals with that. We really don’t know yet. But [we] don’t think it will be a long-term injury, with IR or anything involved in that. We’ll just hopefully have him work through it and get back on the field as soon as possible. [We] don’t really know his status for this week.”

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell on the status of ILB Blake Cashman

Will Cashman play for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday?

If I had to guess, I’d say that Kevin O’Connell is trying to smokescreen the short-term significance of Cashman’s injury, as part of what he feels is a competitive advantage. Andrew Krammer is not the type of Minnesota Vikings insider who likes to hunt for additional engagement, so it would be very much out of character for him to post a report like this, without being very sure that he is correct.

Nonetheless, Kevin O’Connell’s refusal to rule out his starting inside linebacker makes this a narrative to watch, as injury reports start to come out and we move ever closer to Sunday’s noon kickoff. As a Viking, the former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher has posted some of the best numbers of his career, and part of that is due to his ability to stay on the field.

Career year for former Minnesota Gopher

Of course, that has been Blake’s problem since arriving in the NFL, which makes this turf toe injury all the more concerning. The 28-year-old Cashman has racked up 40 tackles, a sack and 4 QB hits on the season. His PFF grades are impressive too.

Much of his success is thanks to his playing significant snaps in all five Minnesota Vikings games, so far. In fact, Blake has played at least 50 snaps in every single contest to start the 2024 season. Unfortunately, that streak of good health is now in jeopardy.