Blake Cashman is a hometown kid from Eden Prairie, MN, who Golden Gopher fans saw blossom right before their eyes from 2015-2018. Now, he plays inside linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings.
And his new team in Minneapolis has quickly found out just how important the former Gopher is to their defensive gameplan, during their first two losses of the 2024 season, both of which came while Cashman was out with a turf toe injury.
Blake Cashman to Minnesota Vikings active roster still up in the air
This Sunday vs the Indianapolis Colts was originally targeted as a likely return date for Blake. That’s because it’s a window that’s allowed the 28-year-old ‘one of us’ linebackers to get nearly a full month of rest — from the final whistle in London on October 6 to kickoff in London on November 3 — while missing just two games.
During the Minnesota Vikings first practice of the week, on Monday, Blake Cashman was nowhere to be seen, during the time media members were able to watch. Afterwards, he declined to take questions from reporters, regarding his injury.
Linebacker Blake Cashman, who has not played since suffering turf toe during an Oct. 6 win over the New York Jets, declined an interview request in the locker room after he was not spotted with teammates during Monday’s practice.
Andrew Krammer – Star Tribune
Cashman’s injury status remains a mystery
That doesn’t seem like good news, right? Well, it’s hard to say, because Kevin O’Connell was on KFAN Radio with voice of the Minnesota Vikings, Paul Allen, on Tuesday morning. Clearly, the head coach is holding out hope that the U of M linebacker great will be in pads come Sunday vs the Colts.
Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell on with @PAOnTheMic this morning says he “really hopes” to have LB Blake Cashman for this weekend against the Colts. KOC said Cashman (turf toe) has been working like crazy to get back.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) October 29, 2024
On the other hand, Darren “Doogie” Wolfson is not overly optimistic, given what he has heard behind the scenes on Blake Cashman. Actually, it’s more about what he has not heard. Because when he checked in with the Vikings… he got ‘crickets’ back.
The longtime local insider, who now scoops for KSTP and SKOR North, said that he is yet to hear back from those close to the Minnesota Vikings linebacker, after recently inquiring about the local legend’s status for Sunday. Obviously, Doogie does not see their silence as a positive development…
“I’d love to tell you, I know if Blake Cashman is going to be back on Monday. He was walking fine in the locker room on Sunday, but he was off to an appointment. I will tell you, some people close to Blake were quietly optimistic, middle of last week. I was told [then] that he was quote, ‘probably back’ for the Colts game. But now, I’ve texted those same people in the last 24 hours. Read between the lines or don’t read into it at all, but I haven’t head back. So, I don’t know if that optimism remains or not.”
Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)