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Player Update v. Colts
#1
The Vikings will be without Blake Cashman for a third game in a row Sunday night against the Colts.

They ruled Cashman out on Friday because of the turf toe injury that’s kept him from practicing all week. Coach Kevin O’Connell had been hopeful the linebacker could return for the Indianapolis game, but the Vikings will have to wait at least one more week for Cashman to get back on the field.

“During his work on the side field on Wednesday, he was very, very close, but just not quite there,” O’Connell said. “So we decided to allow him to continue his progression through his rehab, and hope to have him next week [against Jacksonville].”

The Vikings have given up intermediate throws over the middle with Cashman out, and will have to counter a similar approach from the Colts on Sunday night. 

Quarterback Joe Flacco uses a quick release and short throws to Michael Pittman and Josh Downs to beat pressure, and Indianapolis could try to pick on the Vikings in a similar fashion to how Detroit and the Los Angeles Rams did with Cashman missing those games.

Defensive lineman Taki Taimani was also ruled out because of the ankle injury he first suffered in Wednesday’s practice. He did not practice on Thursday or Friday.

“It was just kind of a normal run play with a couple bodies going down,” O’Connell said. “‘He did get rolled up a little on that ankle.”
Rookie Levi Drake Rodriguez will likely be active in Taimani’s place, O’Connell said, and the Vikings could also elevate Jalen Redmond from the practice squad for the defensive line.

Cornerback Akayleb Evans was listed as questionable.

Plan at left tackle remains mystery
After the Vikings acquired Cam Robinson in a deal with the Jaguars on Tuesday, the left tackle practiced with the team on Thursday and Friday after passing his physical.

O’Connell would not say whether Robinson will start on Sunday night in place of the injured Christian Darrisaw, but said he’s been impressed with Robinson’s start.

“He’s had really good practice reps when he’s been in there,” O’Connell said. “We’ve got a good plan in place, and I’m excited to see how it all plays out.”

The coach said Dalton Risner, who has been out with a back injury since training camp, is healthy. His return for Sunday night is “kind of under discussion right now,” O’Connell said. “But I feel great about having Dalton available. He knows he’s got my confidence and he’ll be ready to go when called upon.”

If Robinson does not start, the Vikings could go with David Quessenberry at left tackle, if they wanted to keep Blake Brandel at left guard and have Risner ready as an alternative to Ed Ingram on the right side. 

They could also move Brandel from left guard to tackle and play Risner at guard, though the Vikings’ quick move for Robinson, after Darrisaw tore his ACL and MCL, would suggest they would like to replace Darrisaw with minimal disruption to the rest of their line configuration

Source: Startribune

Seeking to avoid penalties
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson talked Thursday about how O’Connell had simplified some things in the Vikings’ game plan this week, adding, “We’re going out there and just playing, really not focusing too much on the concepts and more focusing on the players we have on the field.”

The Vikings’ presnap penalties have been a hindrance during their losses to the Lions and Rams, and they have spent timeouts to avoid delay of game penalties after breaking the huddle with little time on the play clock. On Friday, O’Connell called the adjustments to the offense a “constant evaluation.”
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#2
I think the defense misses Cashman more than we think. I don't really know how they're replacing him, but I was looking at snap counts. When Cashman was healthy he would typically get a full share of snaps in the box (about 60) with Pace getting about 40. When Cashman got hurt, Kamu Grugier-Hill only got a handful of those snaps (6 against the Rams). The rest seem to be divided between Pace, Metellus and Harry.

Makes me wonder if we might not be better off just replacing Cashman with KGH for better or worse so we can keep the rest of the defense at full strength.
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#3
(11-02-2024, 09:29 AM)MaroonBells Wrote: I think the defense misses Cashman more than we think. I don't really know how they're replacing him, but I was looking at snap counts. When Cashman was healthy he would typically get a full share of snaps in the box (about 60) with Pace getting about 40. When Cashman got hurt, Kamu Grugier-Hill only got a handful of those snaps (6 against the Rams). The rest seem to be divided between Pace, Metellus and Harry. 

Makes me wonder if we might not be better off just replacing Cashman with KGH for better or worse so we can keep the rest of the defense at full strength.

Cashman is the key to this defense. I agree that KGH being used in the box more might be a good alternative, however there must be a reason Flores isn't doing this.

Whatever they do, they MUST do better against the run, which I think is the key to the defense playing better. When they were dominant on defense earlier this season the run D was great.
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#4
(11-02-2024, 10:27 AM)1VikesFan Wrote: Cashman is the key to this defense. I agree that KGH being used in the box more might be a good alternative, however there must be a reason Flores isn't doing this.

Whatever they do, they MUST do better against the run, which I think is the key to the defense playing better. When they were dominant on defense earlier this season the run D was great.

Yeah, I'm sure Flores believes replacing Cashman piecemeal is the best solution. And he's probably right; he knows what he's doing. I just have wonder if it might not be wise to maybe try something else, because it didn't work well in the last two games.
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#5
I just find it hard to believe Cashman is that important to this D. Just get it done, no more excuses.
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#6
It appears Hockenson will play tonight.
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#7
(Yesterday, 10:47 AM)NorseFeathers Wrote: It appears Hockenson will play tonight.

It will be nice to be at full strength on offense. Hopefully Robinson can give us something close to a Darrisaw performance. Really curious to see if Cam starts...and also if Risner gets the nod over Ingram.
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