The Minnesota Vikings have trudged through a slog of injuries through the early portion of the season, and some meaningful players will finally return in Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Among the most important names back on the active roster this weekend belongs to linebacker Blake Cashman, who has appeared in just one game this season. Cashman strained his hamstring against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 and has sat out since.
“Cashman, who suffered a hamstring injury while chasing Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to the sideline in Week 1, is expected to start Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium,” Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported on Saturday, October 18.
Blake Cashman Hugely Important to Vikings’ Success Since Joining Team Before Last Season
GettyLinebacker Blake Cashman of Minnesota Vikings.
Cashman came to Minnesota ahead of the 2024 campaign after a two-year stint with the Houston Texans that followed three seasons with the New York Jets to begin his NFL career.
Since joining the Vikings, Cashman’s health has been a strong barometer for the success of not only the defense, but the team as a whole. Seifert noted that the team is 13-1 in games Cashman starts, but has just a .500 record without him (4-4).
Cashman led the team in tackles last season with 112 total (68 solo) across 14 games played. He added eight tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Including 2025, the 29-year-old has two seasons remaining on his three-year, $22.5 million contract with Minnesota.
Andrew Van Ginkel Out Against Eagles, While J.J. McCarthy to Serve as Emergency QB
GettyOutside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel of the Minnesota Vikings.
Cashman is technically questionable for the contest Sunday, as is quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, the Vikings have already announced that Carson Wentz will start his fourth consecutive game in place of the second-year pro.
Meanwhile, undrafted rookie signal-caller Max Brosmer will be the backup quarterback, while McCarthy will return in a role as QB3/emergency quarterback.
“He got a ton of reps this week, both with the [first] group and also with getting some really good reps with that look team of feeling the rush of [Jonathan] Greenard, [Dallas] Turner, [Javon] Hargrave, [Jonathan] Allen and really working on some things that are starting to come to fruition,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said of McCarthy.
Entirely absent from the active roster will be edge rusher/outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
Van Ginkel remains sidelined with a neck injury he suffered in Week 3. Minnesota had an early bye week after back-to-back games overseas (Dublin, London) in Weeks 4 and 5, so Van Ginkel will miss his third contest on Sunday rather than his fourth.
He was a breakout addition to the Vikings’ defense in 2024, earning a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All Pro honors following a season in which he produced 18 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two interceptions, a forced fumble and two defensive touchdowns.
The good news for Minnesota’s defense, beyond getting Cashman back, is that the Eagles have struggled offensively this season and come to town in Week 7 on the heels of two straight losses, in which they’ve put up just 17 points both times.
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