The worst-case scenario that the Minnesota Vikings feared Saturday is now a reality: Veteran safety Jamal Adams will miss the entire 2026 season with a knee injury, a team source told The Athletic on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.
Adams injured his knee during the second quarter of the Vikings’ preseason opener Saturday night against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J.
After the game, head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team’s initial examination didn’t look good, and that was confirmed Sunday.
“I told the team after the game, ‘This guy has come in and impacted our organization,’” O’Connell said Saturday. “He’s energy every day. Affecting people in a positive way. We’ve absolutely loved his play style, his competes. And he was genuinely carving out a significant role for himself by totally being all in on the process.”
Adams stumbled while defending receiver Calvin Austin III on the play that resulted in his injury. Adams had drifted backward from the line of scrimmage and into coverage. When Austin crossed from the right side of the field to the left, Adams slipped and stayed on the turf for an extensive period. Following a lengthy trip to the medical tent, he was transported off the field on a cart.
Vikings teammates and coaches consoled Adams on the sideline before he left the field. Safety Josh Metellus and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., specifically, appeared distraught after the injury. Metellus said after Saturday’s game that Adams had spoken to the defense earlier this week about his journey: being drafted with the sixth pick in 2017, becoming an All-Pro, and missing major chunks of five separate seasons due to injury.
Metellus shared that Adams talked about everything — the mental toll, the gratitude, the current opportunity.
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“This game takes a lot from you, and it doesn’t really give too much,” Metellus said. “He’s given constant, relentless effort to play the game he loves. To fall short year in and year out, I think it’s definitely been tough. His football journey hasn’t given him what he’s wanted. But that’s the name of the game.”
The 30-year-old former All-Pro signed a one-year contract for just north of $1.4 million with the Vikings before training camp began. He told reporters he chose the team because of his previous relationship with general manager Nolan Teasley and his respect for defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Quickly, he developed relationships with Metellus and Murphy. His versatility intrigued coaches.
Adams played 11 snaps before Saturday’s injury. He lined up near the line of scrimmage and in the slot, showcasing a potentially creative role. His injury history, which includes a torn quad in 2022, clouds his future. It also adds further urgency for Minnesota to find safety depth.
Adams, who was entering his 10th season in the NFL, is a three-time Pro Bowl selection. He was first-team All-Pro in 2019 when he had 75 tackles and 6.5 sacks for the New York Jets. He was traded to Seattle ahead of the 2020 season and played four years for the Seahawks. He has also played for the Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions and Las Vegas Raiders.
