Vikings LB Blake Cashman left Monday night's win over the Bears with an injury to his right hamstring. Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports that the "initial expectation" is that Cashman will miss "several weeks." The LB's headed for a Monday MRI to determine the extent of the damage.
2025 Fantasy Football Impact
LB Eric Wilson filled in after Cashman left and figures to start in his place.
Third-year LB Ivan Pace Jr. -- the other regular starter -- should be the better bet for playing time and fantasy production, though.
Pace jumped to full playing time when Cashman lost three games to injury in the middle of last season. Pace racked up 10, 13, and 6 tackles in those contests, with a QB hit in two of them, 1 sack, and a fumble-return TD.
Pace beat Cashman last year in Pro Football Focus grades for run defense and pass rushing, but he graded out terribly in coverage.
Cashman's absence could hurt the Vikings' D in short-to-mid range coverage, especially if S Harrison Smith remains out.
We'll see about the return timeline for Cashman. Minnesota's Week 6 bye could motivated the team to place him on short-term IR if the decision's close.
Waiver Wire Targets
Pace is worth a waiver-wire look in IDP leagues of at least moderate depth this week. Minnesota gets Bijan Robinson and the Falcons in Week 2, with a home date against the Bengals in Week 3.
Injury History
Cashman previously lost games to hamstring injuries in 2022 and 2023. He lost three games last season to turf toe.