The Vikings will be without Blake Cashman for a third game in a row Sunday night against the Colts.
They ruled Cashman out on Friday because of the turf toe injury that’s kept him from practicing all week. Coach Kevin O’Connell had been hopeful the linebacker could return for the Indianapolis game, but the Vikings will have to wait at least one more week for Cashman to get back on the field.
“During his work on the side field on Wednesday, he was very, very close, but just not quite there,” O’Connell said. “So we decided to allow him to continue his progression through his rehab, and hope to have him next week [against Jacksonville].”
The Vikings have given up intermediate throws over the middle with Cashman out, and will have to counter a similar approach from the Colts on Sunday night. Quarterback Joe Flacco uses a quick release and short throws to Michael Pittman and Josh Downs to beat pressure, and Indianapolis could try to pick on the Vikings in a similar fashion to how Detroit and the Los Angeles Rams did with Cashman missing those games.
Defensive lineman Taki Taimani was also ruled out because of the ankle injury he first suffered in Wednesday’s practice. He did not practice on Thursday or Friday.
“It was just kind of a normal run play with a couple bodies going down,” O’Connell said. “‘He did get rolled up a little on that ankle.”
Rookie Levi Drake Rodriguez will likely be active in Taimani’s place, O’Connell said, and the Vikings could also elevate Jalen Redmond from the practice squad for the defensive line.
Cornerback Akayleb Evans was listed as questionable.