Coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Blackmon is finishing up his ACL rehab and is expected to return to football activities by the end of the spring, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blackmon tore his ACL during the first practice of Minnesota's training camp in 2024, ending his second pro season before it even started. Now, it looks like he has a good chance to enter this year's training camp with a clean slate. With Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin looking unlikely to play for the Vikings again in 2025, Blackmon may currently be one of the team's most encouraging assets at cornerback besides Byron Murphy.

The Vikings placed Blackmon (knee) on injured reserve Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Blackmon (knee) sustained a torn ACL in the first practice of Vikings training camp Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Blackmon left Wednesday's training camp practice with a knee injury, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Blackmon recorded 41 total tackles and eight pass deflections, including one interception in 15 games with the Vikings during the 2023 regular season.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie out of USC was forced to miss the Vikings' final two games due to a shoulder issue, but he was productive when he saw the field. Blackmon started only three games, playing primarily as a rotational cornerback in Minnesota's secondary in 2023, and he was still able to finish third on the team in pass deflections. The 24-year-old could very well be in for a larger role in his sophomore season after impressing throughout the year.

Blackmon (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions, Matthew Coller of The Purple Insider reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Blackmon (shoulder) did not participate at practice Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Blackmon played through his shoulder injury in Week 17, so it's possible the Vikings are just giving him extra rest. His availability for Week 18 is now legitimately in question though, and he'll likely have to log a full practice Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

Blackmon (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's injury report.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Blackmon (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Packers, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Blackmon (shoulder) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday night's game against the Packers, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.