Jamal Adams Faces Setback with Knee Injury After Joining Vikings

Jamal Adams, previously of the New York Jets, returned to MetLife Stadium on Sunday. He is currently with the Minnesota Vikings and aimed to secure a place in the team’s lineup. However, only two weeks after signing, he faced a significant setback. During the Vikings’ 13-10 victory, Adams was carted off due to a knee injury in the first half.

Adams was matched against New York Giants receiver Calvin Austin III in the red zone. As he sprinted across the field for coverage, Adams went down with a seemingly non-contact injury. His immediate reaction indicated it was serious, and he did not stand up quickly.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, in a game interview, provided an update on Adams’ condition. He expressed concern, stating the initial assessment was “not good.” O’Connell praised Adams’ impact in the short time he had been with the team, mentioning his passion and contribution.

“You’re just crushed for him, the role he was kind of paving for himself, and then just having a personality, experience, toughness that he brought in such a short amount of time. We’re going to miss him,” O’Connell remarked.

The coach’s comments underscore the severity of the injury Adams endured. Up until that point, he had been performing well. His contributions included a key tackle on a Giants’ run play. Before joining the Vikings on July 28, Adams understood the need to fight for a roster spot as he approached his 10th NFL season.

Adams’ journey in the NFL began when the Jets selected him sixth overall from LSU in 2017. He became a pivotal player for them, making two Pro Bowls in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, he was also a First Team All-Pro with 6.5 sacks, 75 tackles, two forced fumbles, a pick-six, and seven defended passes in 14 games.

After the 2019 season, the Jets traded Adams to the Seattle Seahawks, where he remained for four seasons. In 2024, Adams split his time between the Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions, eventually settling with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025.

Last season, Adams shifted from safety to linebacker, a transition the Vikings planned to continue. Adams views himself as a versatile player, capable of adapting as needed. Now, he hopes further tests bring favorable recovery prospects, though non-contact knee injuries typically pose severe challenges for athletes.

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