The Vikings placed Blackmon (knee) on injured reserve Thursday.
This move comes as no surprise, as Blackmon tore his ACL during Wednesday's practice and will now miss all of Minnesota's 2024 campaign. The USC product posted a solid rookie season in 2023, recording 41 total tackles and eight passes defended, including one interception, across 15 games. Expect Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth and Jaylin Williams to see more first-team reps with Blackmon now officially out for the year.
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Vikings' Mekhi Blackmon: Tears ACL in practice
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Blackmon (knee) sustained a torn ACL in the first practice of Vikings training camp Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Blackmon sustained the injury during 7-on-7 drills Wednesday, and after staying on the ground for several minutes, he walked off the field and into the Vikings' facility with trainers. It's a brutal blow for Blackmon, who played in 15 games as a rookie in 2023 and was expected to play a larger role in Minnesota's secondary alongside Shaquill Griffin and Byron Murphy this season. With Blackmon sidelined, Akayleb Evans is set to see increased work with the first-team defense at corner during training camp, while Andrew Booth and Jaylin Williams should both see additional opportunities in the secondary.
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Vikings' Mekhi Blackmon: Sustains knee injury
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Blackmon left Wednesday's training camp practice with a knee injury, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Blackmon limped off the field during 7-on-7 drills and was attended by medical officials before leaving for the locker room, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. It could be a significant blow for Blackmon, who missed the last two regular-season games last year due to a shoulder injury. The 2023 third-round pick out of USC finished his rookie season with 41 tackles (34 solo), eight passes defended and one interception across 15 regular-season contests, and he was set to see a larger role in the secondary this year alongside Byron Murphy (knee) and Shaquill Griffin. Akayleb Evans saw additional work with the first-team defense after Blackmon went down, per Will Ragatz of SI.com, and the former could see increased snaps if the latter is sidelined for an extended period of time.
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Vikings' Mekhi Blackmon: Missing another week
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Blackmon (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions, Matthew Coller of The Purple Insider reports.
Blackmon began the Vikings' week of practice with a limited session, but he followed that up with back-to-back DNPs on Thursday and Friday, so it's no surprise that he won't suit up in Week 18. With the rookie cornerback missing his second consecutive game, expect NaJee Thompson to see increased work in Minnesota's secondary.
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Vikings' Mekhi Blackmon: Still nursing shoulder injury
Rotowire
Blackmon (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's injury report.
Blackmon was able to play through his shoulder issue in Week 17, so any limitations at this point could just be maintenance related. He'll still likely need to practice in full Thursday or Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
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Vikings' Mekhi Blackmon: Good to go versus Green Bay
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Blackmon (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Packers, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.
Blackmon sustained a shoulder injury in the Vikings' Week 16 loss to the Lions. He was a limited participant in Minnesota's last two practices this week and is good to go in a pivotal NFC North clash. With Byron Murphy ruled out ahead of Sunday's game with a knee injury, Blackmon should draw the start at corner alongside Akayleb Evans.
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Vikings' Mekhi Blackmon: Chance to play Week 17
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Blackmon (shoulder) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday night's game against the Packers, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
The 24-year-old corner exited the Vikings' Christmas Eve contest after sustaining a shoulder injury, and after ending the team's week of practice with two limited sessions, he's got a shot to suit up Sunday night. NaJee Thompson would likely see an increase in snaps in Minnesota's secondary if Blackmon were to be inactive in Week 17.
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Vikings' Mekhi Blackmon: Limited role in pro debut
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Blackmon had one tackle and played 15 snaps on defense in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay.
The 2023 third-round pick out of USC will begin his pro career with a role off the bench, but played well in his limited time. Blackmon had a defensive stop and allowed a QB rating of 88.2 on the three passes targeted at him, according to Pro Football Focus. He could get more snaps on defense as a result.
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Vikings' Mekhi Blackmon: Returns to practice
Rotowire
Blackmon (upper body) returned to practice Monday, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Blackmon was hurt during practice Aug. 17 and missed a few days, but it sounds like he'll be ready for Week 1. The 2023 third-round pick out of USC has been playing with the Vikings' first-team defense during training camp.
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Vikings' Mekhi Blackmon: Picked up by Minnesota
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The Vikings selected Blackmon in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 102nd overall.
Blackmon (5-foot-11, 178 pounds) was a standout starting corner with Christian Gonzalez at Colorado before Gonzalez transferred to Oregon and Blackmon transferred to USC prior to the 2022 season. Blackmon is a much lesser prospect than his former teammate, but the Vikings were evidently intrigued. Blackmon's light frame is a concern, but his 4.47 speed should be sufficient, especially when in the slot.
