Vikings wide receiver and punt returner Rondale Moore sustained a left knee injury that will end his season during Saturday’s preseason matchup with the Texans, which the team verified on Tuesday after evaluating his MRI results.
This report indicates that Moore will be sidelined for an entire season for the second year in a row. The Vikings have placed him on injured reserve for the season as of Tuesday.
Since being selected as a second-round draft pick by the Cardinals in 2021, Moore has faced challenges in maintaining his health. He missed nine games in 2022 due to various injuries, and then he sat out all of 2024 after dislocating his right knee during training camp with the Falcons.
This offseason, he signed a one-year deal with the Vikings, where he was expected to serve as the team’s punt returner and possibly the fourth receiver. On his initial return, Texans linebacker Jamal Hill tackled him after a 2-yard gain as he was running out of bounds. In this incident, Hill inadvertently pulled Moore awkwardly over his left leg.
Athletic trainers promptly brought in a cart for Moore. His frustration was clear as he struck his hands violently against the back of the cart, producing a noise that echoed throughout the stadium.
After the incident, coach Kevin O’Connell described the injury as “heartbreaking” and remarked, “As a head coach, feeling that kind of emotion is among the hardest things for me. I dedicate my life to helping others improve and in moments like this, there’s nothing I can do, which is truly disheartening as a coach. So, I just speak with him to reassure him that he won’t have to go through this alone.”
In additional updates on Tuesday, the Vikings released linebacker Brian Asamoah II and waived/injured offensive lineman Zeke Correll. Should Correll pass through waivers, he will revert to injured reserve. Asamoah, who was picked in the third round by the Vikings in 2022, has played in 46 games over three years, accumulating 30 tackles.
