The Minnesota Vikings are dealing with more than just general wear and tear heading into their Week 10 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. The biggest question hanging over them right now is linebacker Blake Cashman.
Cashman exited Minnesota’s 23-6 Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills after suffering a concussion and did not return after being checked out in the blue medical tent. Even with the early exit, he still finished tied for a season high with 12 tackles, while also adding two pass deflections and one tackle for loss.
His status is now very much in doubt. In the Vikings’ first Week 10 injury report, Cashman was listed as “DNP” in the team’s first practice of the week because he is in concussion protocol, which NFL rules require him to remain in for at least five days. After comments from head coach Kevin O’Connell, there’s real concern about whether Cashman will be available against Green Bay.
O’Connell addressed the situation while speaking to the media before the Packers game, and Cashman was one of the main topics. The coach also discussed the week’s biggest storyline, the Vikings trading for quarterback Kirk Cousins, but he made sure to circle back to his linebacker’s condition.
"We won’t be on the field until tomorrow, but did want to give you guys the projected injury report later this afternoon. I know you’ll get it, but the one that I wanted to make sure I mentioned was Blake Cashman.
"He had the kind of the stinger evaluation going on and then did end up taking a hit, or more than likely giving a hit late on that, later on in that game. And he is currently in the concussion protocol. So, obviously, with a short week, he’s doing really, really well, but I’ll keep you guys posted on him."
Cashman has been producing like a player in the middle of a breakout year. He’s on pace for a career season and is widely viewed as one of the NFL’s top linebackers. Through this point, he has 76 tackles, 10 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, seven pass deflections, 4.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery.
The advanced numbers back that up, too. Pro Football Focus has him with the second-highest overall grade among 79 eligible linebackers at 86.8. He also owns a coverage grade of 82.6, which ranks third, along with a run-defense grade of 69.3, ranked 27th, and a pass-rush grade of 82.0, ranked sixth.
That versatility is exactly why Minnesota needs him so badly against Green Bay. Brian Flores has leaned on Cashman in a bigger way this season, using him as a blitzer and sending him after the quarterback more often. That approach has paid off, with Cashman recording 16 pressures.
He has also been one of the league’s better coverage linebackers, allowing a 75.9 passer rating this season. That matters against a Packers offense that ranks second in the league in passing yards per game at 279.7. Cashman gives the Vikings a chance to affect Jordan Love while also helping take away the middle of the field against tight ends and wide receivers on crossing routes.
Minnesota will spend the next few days monitoring him closely and hoping he can trend in the right direction before the showdown with Green Bay. The Vikings want him out there, but they also have to be careful with the long view.
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