Vikings Lose Jamal Adams for 2026 Season After Knee Injury in 13-10 Win

Veteran defender Jamal Adams is ruled out for the 2026 season after injuring his right knee during the Vikings' 13-10 preseason victory.

Minnesota Vikings veteran defender Jamal Adams will miss the entire 2026 NFL season due to a right knee injury sustained on Saturday. The incident occurred during the Vikings' 13-10 preseason victory against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport confirmed the season-ending status of the injury on Sunday following medical evaluations.

Details of the MetLife Stadium Incident

The injury took place early in the second quarter while Adams was operating in pass coverage. The 30-year-old defender stumbled with no physical contact from an opponent and fell to the turf. Immediately after the fall, Adams rolled over and gripped his right knee in visible distress. Medical staff eventually transported him from the sideline to the locker room via a cart. Although he had been receiving significant first-team repetitions during training camp practice sessions, Adams was playing with the second-team defensive unit at the moment of the mishap.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell described himself as "crushed" for the veteran, noting that the team would deeply feel his absence on the field. O'Connell indicated that initial testing performed immediately after the 13-10 win did not yield positive results. The organization waited for comprehensive imaging on Sunday morning before officially projecting that Adams would be sidelined for the duration of the year.

Transition from Linebacker to Safety

Adams joined the Vikings on the eve of training camp, a move facilitated by his professional history with general manager Nolan Teasley. The two previously worked together as members of the Seattle Seahawks organization. Originally entered the league as a safety when drafted by the New York Jets in 2017, Adams underwent a position change to linebacker last season while playing for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Upon arriving in Minnesota, he initially continued his work at the linebacker position. However, after one week of training camp, the coaching staff shifted his role back to safety. This transition included a jersey number change from 54 to 32. Prior to the injury, the Vikings utilized Adams extensively in their specialized three-safety defensive packages during summer practices.

History of Medical Challenges

Physical setbacks have frequently interrupted the second half of the defender's career. In 2022, Adams was limited to just a single game appearance. The following year, he participated in nine contests during the 2023 campaign. His availability decreased further in 2024, where he saw action in only five games.

Before signing with Minnesota, Adams managed to complete a full 17-game slate as a part-time contributor for the Raiders last season. This latest knee issue marks a significant blow to a player who had just regained full-season durability. The Vikings now move forward without a key veteran presence who was expected to be a versatile piece in their secondary following their narrow three-point preseason win in New York.