The Minnesota Vikings got off to a rough start at training camp, as cornerback Mekhi Blackmon suffered a devastating knee injury. Initially, there was some hope as Blackmon was able to walk off the field under his own power. However, the optimism quickly faded when it was revealed that Blackmon had torn his ACL. This news means that Blackmon’s 2024 season is over before it even began.
In the wake of Blackmon’s injury, the competition for spots behind starting cornerbacks Shaq Griffin and Byron Murphy will intensify. The Vikings may need to explore options in the free agent market to add depth to the position. As it stands, it looks like Akayleb Evans will step into the number three cornerback role, with Andrew Booth Jr. and Duke Shelley vying for playing time behind him.
The devastating blow to Blackmon did not go unnoticed by those in and around the Vikings organization. One report described the news as “absolutely awful” and expressed hope for a speedy recovery for Blackmon. The loss of a talented young player like Blackmon will undoubtedly impact the team’s plans for the upcoming season.
Despite the setback, the Vikings will need to regroup and focus on the task ahead. As one commentator put it, the team must now turn their attention to the 2025 season and make the necessary adjustments to move forward without Blackmon in the lineup. The road ahead will not be easy, but the Vikings have faced adversity before and will look to overcome this latest challenge as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.