Adams Out For Season
Minnesota Vikings Defender Jamal Adams Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury
Minnesota Vikings defender Jamal Adams is expected to miss the entire 2026 NFL season after suffering a right knee injury in the team's first preseason game against the New York Giants, according to The Score.
The injury happened during a touchdown play. Adams entered the medical tent on the sideline and was then taken to the locker room for evaluation. It marks another serious blow to a career already derailed by injuries, Fresno Bee reported.
Knee Injury Ends Adams' Vikings Season Before It Starts
Adams went down during Minnesota's preseason opener against New York. The injury was to his right knee. He walked to the medical tent under his own power but did not return to the game. Shortly after, he was transported to the locker room, Sacramento Bee reported.
The Vikings signed Adams as a linebacker ahead of the 2026 season. Now he will miss all of it. His 2026 campaign is over before the regular season even begins, according to Kansas.com.
A Career Repeatedly Derailed by Injury
This is not the first time injuries have cost Adams a season. From 2022 to 2024, he played just 15 total games combined across three seasons. Knee and shoulder injuries limited him significantly during that stretch, Charlotte Observer reported.
Adams bounced back in 2024 with the Las Vegas Raiders, playing in 17 games. That healthy season gave him enough momentum to sign with Minnesota. Now another serious knee injury has cut his comeback short again, according to The State.
Adams Arrived in Minnesota as a Linebacker, Not Safety
Adams originally made his name as a hard-hitting safety with the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks. The Vikings signed him to play linebacker — a positional shift that showed teams still valued his ability to play close to the line, Bellingham Herald reported.
The move to linebacker was seen as a way to extend his career and keep him on the field. That plan has now been put on hold for at least a full year, according to Ledger-Enquirer.
What This Means for Minnesota's Defense Going Forward
Losing Adams is a real blow for Minnesota's defensive unit heading into the 2026 season. The Vikings had counted on him to add depth and experience to their linebacker corps. Now they must replace his projected role before the regular season kicks off, Kentucky.com reported.
The Vikings will likely look to free agency or younger roster players to fill the gap. Minnesota has not yet made a public statement about Adams' injury timeline or next steps, according to The State.
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