The Vikings will be without starting linebacker Blake Cashman for their NFC North matchup with the Lions in Week 6 and potentially longer, according to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Cashman is currently dealing with turf toe, which could sideline him for the Vikings’ Week 7 matchup against the Rams — a Thursday-night tilt — as well.
Cashman started all five of the Vikings’ games this season and leads the team with 40 tackles as a key leader of Brian Flores‘ aggressive defense. His coverage ability has been crucial to closing down blitz-beaters and preventing yards after the catch.
Second-year linebacker Ivan Pace missed Weeks 3 and 4 due to injury, but he has started Minnesota’s other three games next to Cashman. Pace only played 36% of the team’s defensive snaps in Week 5, but the Vikings’ Week 6 bye likely gave him enough time to work back to full health and take over a larger role in Cashman’s absence.
Safety Josh Metellus started both games in Pace’s absence, so he will likely step up with Cashman out and allow Flores to continue his heavy use of dime personnel. Veteran Kamu Grugier-Hill will play some early-down snaps against the run, while Brian Asamoah could also see an increased role after just 13 defensive snaps on the season.
Cashman has struggled with injuries throughout his career, averaging just over eight games across his six NFL season. He played in just 14 games across his first three years, but appeared in 30 over the last two. The Vikings signed Cashman to a three-year deal in free agency this past offseason, beating out a number of other suitors after the Minneapolis-area native’s productive Texans season, so they are hoping he has put his injuries behind him and can remain relatively healthy for his tenure in Minnesota. That will likely motivate them to take a cautious approach with Cashman’s current injury, giving him multiple weeks to recover before retaking his starting role.