Vikings Get Huge Boost as $23 Million Star Returns for Eagles Matchup
The Minnesota Vikings have trudged through a slog of injuries through the early portion of the season, and some meaningful players will finally return in Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Among the most important names back on the active roster this weekend belongs to linebacker Blake Cashman, who has appeared in just one game this season. Cashman strained his hamstring against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 and has sat out since.
“Cashman, who suffered a hamstring injury while chasing Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to the sideline in Week 1, is expected to start Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium,” Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported on Saturday, October 18.
Blake Cashman Hugely Important to Vikings’ Success Since Joining Team Before Last Season
GettyLinebacker Blake Cashman of Minnesota Vikings.
Cashman came to Minnesota ahead of the 2024 campaign after a two-year stint with the Houston Texans that followed three seasons with the New York Jets to begin his NFL career.
Since joining the Vikings, Cashman’s health has been a strong barometer for the success of not only the defense, but the team as a whole. Seifert noted that the team is 13-1 in games Cashman starts, but has just a .500 record without him (4-4).
Cashman led the team in tackles last season with 112 total (68 solo) across 14 games played. He added eight tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Including 2025, the 29-year-old has two seasons remaining on his three-year, $22.5 million contract with Minnesota.
Andrew Van Ginkel Out Against Eagles, While J.J. McCarthy to Serve as Emergency QB
GettyOutside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel of the Minnesota Vikings.
Cashman is technically questionable for the contest Sunday, as is quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, the Vikings have already announced that Carson Wentz will start his fourth consecutive game in place of the second-year pro.
Meanwhile, undrafted rookie signal-caller Max Brosmer will be the backup quarterback, while McCarthy will return in a role as QB3/emergency quarterback.
“He got a ton of reps this week, both with the [first] group and also with getting some really good reps with that look team of feeling the rush of [Jonathan] Greenard, [Dallas] Turner, [Javon] Hargrave, [Jonathan] Allen and really working on some things that are starting to come to fruition,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said of McCarthy.
Entirely absent from the active roster will be edge rusher/outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
Van Ginkel remains sidelined with a neck injury he suffered in Week 3. Minnesota had an early bye week after back-to-back games overseas (Dublin, London) in Weeks 4 and 5, so Van Ginkel will miss his third contest on Sunday rather than his fourth.
He was a breakout addition to the Vikings’ defense in 2024, earning a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All Pro honors following a season in which he produced 18 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two interceptions, a forced fumble and two defensive touchdowns.
The good news for Minnesota’s defense, beyond getting Cashman back, is that the Eagles have struggled offensively this season and come to town in Week 7 on the heels of two straight losses, in which they’ve put up just 17 points both times.
Lions Blockbuster Trade Pitch Nets Detroit 2 Star Edge Rushers
The Detroit Lions profile as among the most likely teams to pursue a pass rusher ahead of the NFL trade deadline, and there’s reason to think they may even take a look at adding a couple of them.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN authored a handful of trades that “make sense” on Thursday, October 16. Two of those deals involved Detroit and a big move for a big presence off the edge.
The first proposal would see the Lions send the Cincinnati Bengals a second-round pick in return for defensive end Trey Hendrickson and a fourth-round selection in what Barnwell referred to as the team’s “all-in move.”
“The Lions have one superstar up front in Aidan Hutchinson, but they’ve never really landed that second one,” Barnwell wrote. “Furthermore, the Lions are dealing with a secondary that’s already battered by injuries. Free agent addition D.J. Reed (hamstring) is on injured reserve, while Terrion Arnold narrowly avoided a multi-month shoulder injury.”
“One way to help that secondary is to have a more efficient pass rush, especially without needing to blitz.”
Lions Could Find Solid Value in Trade for Jaelan Phillips
GettyMiami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
Barnwell then immediately jumped into his next proposal, which would see the Lions send the Miami Dolphins a fourth-round pick in return for pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and a seventh-rounder.
“I’m arguing that the Lions should go all-in. This team experienced what it was like to lose Hutchinson and virtually every one of its other ambulatory pass rushers last season,” Barnwell continued. “Its secondary is battling injuries. No team has ever made it into January and complained that it had too many pass rushers.”
Phillips’ biggest issue is his history of serious injuries, including an ACL and an Achilles tendon. However, when healthy, he has generally been an above-average performer off the edge.
“His 14.5% pressure rate and 6.8% quick pressure rate, both per Next Gen Stats, are well above league average for edge rushers with 100 or more snaps this season,” Barnwell noted. “Phillips’ average pressure comes after just 2.6 seconds, the seventh-fastest rate among that cohort.”
Lions Could Keep Trey Hendrickson Longterm, Jaelan Phillips Through Playoff Run
GettyDetroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
The Lions have a little over $25 million in salary cap space, so they can afford to take a big swing or two. And Detroit doesn’t necessarily need to commit to both players beyond this season.
Hendrickson would make more sense as the guy to try and lock up longterm, at least in Barnwell’s scenario because the Lions would be sacrificing a second-round pick to acquire him. That won’t be cheap, as Spotrac projects Hendrickson’s market value at just under $35 million annually over a new four-year contract.
That said, Hutchinson and Hendrickson could anchor a dominant defensive front in Detroit for years if they become teammates, as Hutchinson is currently extension-eligible and likely to earn a monster contract of his own.
Phillips would come cheaper on a new contract, and given his injury history and lack of traditional statistical production so far this year, the Lions could potentially negotiate a deal comprised of fewer years and a more moderate salary.
Otherwise, Detroit could look at Phillips as a one-year rental play on a roster that is poised to contend for a Super Bowl for the third postseason in a row.
