Vikings CB reportedly tore ACL in practice

Blackmon surpassed draft expectations last year going in the third round out of USC after being projected as a Day 3 pick. After starting cornerbacks Byron Murphy and Akayleb Evans, Blackmon was the third-most utilized cornerback on the Vikings defense last year, even earning three starts as a rookie as an injury replacement for Murphy and Evans. The USC product was third on the team with eight passes defensed while tallying 41 total tackles and an interception, as well.

The Vikings’ cornerback group was set to enter 2024 with impressive depth after the signing of free agent Shaquill Griffin. Griffin is set to lineup across from Murphy as the starting pair next year with Josh Metellus starting in the slot. Evans is available off the bench after starting all last year and was likely to be pushed by Blackmon for those first snaps coming off the bench.

The tragic death of rookie fourth-round pick Khyree Jackson led to further loss in the room. Despite spending little time at slot in his rookie season, Blackmon and Jackson were both considered candidates to compete with Metellus for the starting nickelback job. With both players now unavailable, the Vikings signed veteran free agent Duke Shelley yesterday to add to the depleting depth at the position. Shelley reunites with the Vikings after spending last year in Los Angeles with the Rams. Back in 2022, Shelley started five games for Minnesota.

The team will also look to former second-round pick Andrew Booth, who has been a major disappointment so far over his first two seasons. The Clemson product was facing questions of whether or not he would make the roster in 2024, but with the diminishing numbers in the room, Booth’s experience around the team may be too valuable to part with.

Blackmon’s year may be over before it began, as is Jackson’s NFL career, sadly. Still, the season doesn’t come to a stop just for Minnesota. The Vikings have addressed the position and may need to continue addressing the position. They’ll also try to squeeze every contribution out of their rostered players as much as possible to cover their losses.