The Minnesota Vikings got a preseason win over the New York Giants, but the result was overshadowed by a worrying injury to Jamal Adams.
Adams, who lines up at safety and linebacker, had to be carted off early in the second quarter after grabbing his right knee on a non-contact play. Head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t say exactly what the injury was or how long Adams might be sidelined, but he was blunt about the outlook.
“not good.”
That was the word O’Connell used on the Vikings TV broadcast at halftime, and he didn’t stop there. “We’ve absolutely loved his play style, his compete and he was genuinely carving out a significant role for himself,” O’Connell said.
“It just kills you. It absolutely guts you.
… Just absolutely crushed for him.”
Minnesota’s offense did enough to edge New York, 13-10, in its opening preseason game, with newly acquired Kyler Murray getting the start at quarterback. Murray played one series in the first quarter and completed 2 of 3 passes.
The Vikings struck first when second-year kicker Will Reichard connected on a 35-yard field goal. New York answered with a 10-play, 73-yard march that ended in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Jaxson Dart to Malachi Fields.
Minnesota went into halftime down 10-3, then trimmed the margin when Reichard drilled a 54-yard field goal in the third quarter. The winning points came in the fourth, when veteran quarterback Carson Wentz found Myles Price for a 1-yard touchdown pass.
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J.J. McCarthy entered his rookie season with the Vikings expected to be the long-term answer, but his first year only deepened the uncertainty around his timeline. Injuries interrupted his progress, his performance came with uneven reviews, and the organization was left to sort through a quarterback situation that never felt as settled as the outside expectation suggested.
Even with the questions, there is still a belief in some NFL circles that McCarthy can develop into a starter if the growth comes soon enough. His name has also come up elsewhere as teams have evaluated him as a potential backup option, a reminder that his value around the league may not match the way the Vikings hoped to view him at this stage. The broader issue now is whether Minnesota is still looking at a future starter or recalibrating what his role might need to be. [Read more 🡒]
Jamal Adams Exit Leaves Vikings Facing A Tough Defensive Question
Jamal Adams preseason debut at MetLife Stadium quickly turned into a worrying scene for Minnesota, as the veteran safety went down with a non-contact injury and had to be carted off the field. It was the sort of moment that can change a teams defensive outlook in a hurry, especially for a player the Vikings were counting on to bring experience and edge to the secondary.
Head coach Kevin OConnell did little to calm those concerns afterward, signaling the Vikings will be without Adams for what could be an extended stretch even though there is still no official diagnosis. Adams injury history already made his status worth monitoring, and now Minnesota has an immediate depth chart issue to sort through before the preseason moves any further. [Read more 🡒]
Jaxson Dart Took A Brutal Hit And Vikings Fans Noticed Fast
Jaxson Dart drew immediate attention in the Giants preseason opener against the Vikings when he headed to the medical tent after taking a hard hit. For Minnesota fans watching a game that was supposed to be about settling in for August football, the moment carried some extra intrigue because Darts health has already been a point of discussion since his rookie season, when multiple visits to the medical tent prompted closer scrutiny of how those situations were handled.
The hit did not end his night, and the larger concern around Dart is less about one preseason snap than the pattern that has followed him into 2026. Even in an exhibition setting, every trip to the sideline raises the same questions about durability and concussion evaluation, and that kind of attention will follow him as long as he keeps getting knocked around. [Read more 🡒]
