Not Doomsday, But Vikings News Creates Concern
For the most part, the Vikings news is positive. After all, the kid QB delivered, winning in dramatic fashion in his first ever NFL start (on Monday Night Football, on the road, and against an NFC North foe).
Unfortunately, the team didn’t come out of Soldier Field unscathed. There are some bumps and bruises, most notably to linebacker Black Cashman — who was pulled from the game — alongside center Ryan Kelly — who was able to go back in. There’s then the issue that arose for corner Jeff Okudah, the CB3 who needs to work through the concussion evaluation process.
The Vikings News for a Thin Roster Spot
After the game, Kevin O’Connell had a fair bit to say (as is his wont).
The chatty head coach began by explaining that “there’s a lot to unpack after that one.” He sent a pile of praise to several players before offering a medical update: “Cashman did get a hamstring, he’ll have an MRI. And then Okudah there on the last play, everything’s checked out, we wanted to be smart with that. But he’ll be evaluated for a concussion. He will travel home with us, as well.”
The good news: Jeff Okudah travelling home with the team.
In really serious scenarios, a player gets brought to a local hospital and can even be kept for a while until health stabilizes. Makes sense. Travel becomes secondary when one’s health is at stake. The simple fact that the corner is going back to the Twin Cities is at least one sliver of optimism within the bad news.
Already, the Vikings’ secondary has been operating shorthanded. Harrison Smith couldn’t go on Monday Night Football, meaning the team’s nickel (five defensive backs) and dime (six defensive backs) personnel packages didn’t have the elder statesman to guide things.
The obvious pivot within the strategy was to move away from big nickel (three safeties to partner with two corners) in favor of a more traditional look when five defensive backs stepped onto the field. More specifically, that means leaning on the top trio of corners: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah.
If Jeff Okudah — someone with an injury history — does need to step away, then Dwight McGlothern would be the next man up, at least per the depth chart. So, too, could Tavierre Thomas get leaned on as a versatile veteran who has experience of soaking up snaps in the slot.
Kevin O’Connell noted that the final play is the one where Okudah showed signs of injury. Here is the play:
Okudah, wearing #8, isn’t in the pile up to finish off the game. If I’m seeing things correctly, Okudah attempts to tackle D.J. Moore after Rome Odunze tosses the ball to his fellow receiver. Something happened in that moment that led to double checking to see about a concussion.
The former Lions draftee finished his debut with the Vikings having played in 16 snaps for the defense, working out to 24% of the total. He had a pair of tackles.
The top priority rests in ensuring that Jeff Okudah is healthy. Get right as a human who has a life that extends beyond the football field. Afterwards, jump back into action with the assurance that comes from being at 100% health.
Jeff Okudah missing some time would mean turning to the practice squad for help from Zemaiah Vaughn (rookie UDFA) and/or Fabian Moreau (veteran with experience in the scheme). In theory, there could even be a flirtation with one of the NFL’s free agent corners.
The other injury detail — the MRI for Cashman — suggests that the injury is serious enough to need to do a bit of investigative work. Take a look under the hood to see the extent of the injury. Doing so will then determine Minnesota’s next course of action with the do-it-all LB1 who doesn’t get enough credit for his versatility.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
