Vikings Devastated: Two Star Players Suddenly Sidelined—What This Means for the Season

So, the Minnesota Vikings kick off their 2025 campaign with a thrilling comeback win against the Bears — thanks to J.J. McCarthy lighting up the fourth quarter like a firecracker on the Fourth of July. But just as the confetti settles, bam! Reality smacks them hard — two crucial players, linebacker Blake Cashman and running back Ty Chandler, are sidelined on injured reserve. Now, here’s the puzzle: can the Vikings navigate through a defense already crumbling under injuries and still keep their playoff hopes alive? It’s a cliffhanger worthy of prime-time drama… and maybe a reason to stock up on extra popcorn before Sunday’s showdown against the Falcons.

The Minnesota Vikings opened their 2025 season with a spirited comeback victory over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football due to quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s three fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull off an improbable 27-24 win.

As exciting as the victory was, reality hit this week when the team was forced to place a couple of key members on injured reserve.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shared on X that linebacker Blake Cashman and running back Ty Chandler will both be heading to IR after suffering injuries against the Bears.

“The #Vikings have placed LB Blake Cashman (hamstring) and RB Ty Chandler (knee) on Injured Reserve, knocking them out four games,” Rapoport posted on X.

The #Vikings have placed LB Blake Cashman (hamstring) and RB Ty Chandler (knee) on Injured Reserve, knocking them out four games.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2025

Cashman suffered the injury chasing Caleb Williams up the sideline, and he immediately left the game and will likely be replaced in the lineup by Eric Wilson, who was signed as a free agent this offseason.

Minnesota will have a tough time atoning for the loss of its defensive signal-caller, who posted 112 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 14 games last season.

The defense is already dealing with injuries to Harrison Smith, Jeff Okudah, and Andrew Van Ginkel, so Sunday night’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons is going to be a difficult one now that the defense might be short-handed against an electric offense.

Chandler is a weapon for Minnesota as a kick returner, so his loss will create an opening for somebody to step up on special teams.

You never want to see anybody get hurt, but thankfully, both these Vikings should ideally be good to go in Week 6.

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