Early Vikings Standout Suddenly Under Serious Pressure in Week 2

The Minnesota Vikings had an excellent start to the season, and while quarterback J.J. McCarthy and others drew most of the headlines, the special teams unit was a big reason why the Vikings pulled off a 27-24 comeback win over the Chicago Bears in Week 1.

The Vikings’ special teams unit was littered with standout performances as kicker Will Reichard booted a 59-yard field goal just before halftime and rookie returner Myles Price racked up 117 total return yards in his NFL debut. And that's without mentioning linebacker Eric Wilson's standout play, as he blocked a punt and made a pair of tackles in the victory.

Wilson got off to a great start on his second tour in Minnesota after playing for the franchise from 2017 to 2020, but the Vikings will need more from him after LB Blake Cashman’s hamstring turned out to be a big concern.

Blake Cashman’s Injury Leaves Vikings LB Eric Wilson in Crucial Role 

The Vikings' linebacker left Monday’s game and did not return. Things became more ominous when head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters on Wednesday that Cashman “would miss time,” and the worst fears were realized when Cashman was placed on injured reserve on Thursday afternoon.

Cashman is in his second season with the Vikings and enjoyed the performance of his career with 112 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, eight pass deflections, and a fumble recovery in 2024. Although Cashman is an effective player, he's also injury-prone, missing time due to injury in each of his first six seasons.

The Minnesota native also has an impact beyond the box score. The player with the “green dot” helmet, Cashman is the main line of communication between the field and the coaching staff. When the former 2019 fifth-rounder missed three games with turf toe last season, the Vikings lost two of them, and their points allowed per game jumped from 18.4 in 14 games with Cashman to 24.6 in three outings without him.

The Vikings tried to use Ivan Pace Jr. in the “green dot” role when Cashman got hurt last season, but he became a liability in coverage with a 29.8 Pro Football Focus grade and eight receptions on eight targets for 68 yards and a touchdown in Cashman’s absence last season.

Wilson has posted a PFF grade over 50 just once since the 2021 season, but he successfully defended both targets that came his way against the Bears. The 30-year-old also assumed “green dot” duties after Cashman’s injury, and the Vikings put the clamps on the Chicago defense until Caleb Williams found Rome Odunze with 2:02 left to play.

Regardless, Wilson will have to step in for Cashman for at least the next four games and perhaps assume a role the Vikings may not have been banking on when he returned to the team last spring.

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