Vikings cornerback Mekhi Blackmon tears ACL during opening practice of training camp, AP source says
EAGAN, Minnesota — EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon tore his ACL during a drill in the first training of training camp On Wednesday, a person familiar with the injury said.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet announced the diagnosis. It’s a blow to a position group that was already a source of concern.
Blackmon, a second-year player from Southern California who showed promise last season after being selected in the third round, injured his knee during a 7-on-7 passing drill. He was treated by medical staff for several minutes on the sidelines and eventually slowly walked off the field and into the training room for further examination.
Blackmon played in 15 games as a rookie and was a fixture on the team. He had one interception, one fumble recovery and eight pass deflections.
The Vikings still mourn the Rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson dieswho was killed in a car crash with two friends earlier this month in Maryland. Several coaches are expected to attend the funeral Friday for the fourth-round draft pick from Oregon.
Byron Murphy Jr. is back in the starting role and eighth-year veteran Shaq Griffin has signed as a free agent. But with Blackmon sidelined and the loss of Jackson, the cornerback group looks particularly vulnerable after a season in which the Vikings’ pass coverage faltered late in the season.
Duke Shelley was brought in Tuesday for added depth and experience. Akayleb Evans is back after starting 15 games but struggled late in the season. Andrew Booth Jr., part of the same underachieving 2022 draft class as Evans, is another option who has yet to prove he can stay healthy and contribute consistently.
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