The Season Is Over for 2 Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings won their first preseason game of this year, but it cost them not only one but two players. For one of those, the season is officially over, the team announced on Tuesday. Another veteran was placed on IR Monday.
The Season Is Over for 2 Vikings
Let’s start with the big one: Rondale Moore will miss his second consecutive season with a significant knee injury. He was tackled on his first touch as a Viking when he was returning a punt. A few minutes later, he had to be carted off.
After the game, Kevin O’Connell confirmed that his wideout had suffered a “significant knee injury,” adding: “It’s one of the most painful things for me as a head coach when I feel that emotion. I make a life out of trying to leave others better than I found them. In that situation, there is nothing I can do, which is the worst feeling as a coach. So you just consult with him and make sure that he knows he’s not going to be alone.”
Three days later, on Tuesday, the Vikings placed the fifth-year player on IR. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported, “Vikings receiver/punt returner Rondale Moore suffered a season-ending left knee injury in Saturday’s preseason game against the Texans, the team confirmed Tuesday after reviewing his MRI test results.”
Rondale Moore of Purdue on a 76-yard touchdown run at 1:02 in the first quarter against Northwestern Thursday, August 30, 2018, in West Lafayette. Moore’s score tied the game at 14-14. Northwestern defeated Purdue 31-27.
Moore has been plagued by injuries all his career. After an electric freshman season at Purdue (he led the Big 10 in receiving yards), he only appeared in a total of seven games over his next two campaigns. Still, the Cardinals gave him a shot in the second round. Three years later, the Falcons called and acquired the once-promising receiver via trade. Moore then missed the entire 2024 season with a knee injury.
The Vikings signed him to a relatively cheap deal, in the hope of rekindling some of his freshman magic. He was the favorite to be the team’s punt returner, and his quickness and after-the-catch ability could’ve helped him carve out a role in O’Connell’s offense. Players placed on IR in the preseason are out for the season, and the 25-year-old is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent next March.
In addition to Moore, the franchise placed offensive tackle Matt Nelson on IR. That move took place Monday, when the club added Michael Gonzalez, an interior blocker, to take his roster spot.
Nelson had been acquired a couple of weeks ago. The team announced on Monday, “The Vikings on Monday claimed guard Michael Gonzalez via waivers and placed tackle Matt Nelson on Injured Reserve.”
The blocker reportedly suffered a torn biceps.
“Nelson signed with Minnesota on July 31 but suffered an injury during Minnesota’s Aug. 4 Night Practice. The Iowa product started 14 of 43 games with the Lions from 2020-23,” the Vikings added on the official website.
Nelson, 29, hailing from Grand Rapids, Iowa, studied at the University of Iowa. After going undrafted in 2019, he joined the Detroit Lions, where he spent five seasons. Last year, he was acquired by the New York Giants in March, but was let go before their Week 1 matchup against the Vikings and did not appear in any games that season.
With the Lions, Nelson competed in 43 contests (14 starts), primarily as a backup lineman. Overall, Nelson logged 1,071 offensive snaps and another 187 on special teams. Most of those offensive reps took place at left tackle or as a sixth offensive lineman, a role Dan Skipper has had in the last few years.
He is in the same situation as Moore, and his season is over. Furthermore, the Vikes waived rookie center Zeke Correll with an injury designation. He will revert to Minnesota’s IR and join the duo, unless someone else claims him (which is highly unlikely because of the injury). The center suffered a fractured ankle in the preseason matchup.
The Vikings’ depth is tested early.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.