Star NFL defender Jamal Adams's debut for the Minnesota Vikings concluded prematurely on Saturday due to a right knee injury. Adams was carted off the field during the team's preseason opener against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, having played only 11 defensive snaps.
The injury occurred as Adams was tracking a pass in defense on a 15-yard touchdown play by Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. The 30-year-old appeared to suffer a non-contact injury as he crumpled to the turf. He was taken to the sideline medical tent before being moved to the locker room.
"Initial exam does not look good," Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell stated after the Vikings' 13-10 victory. "Don't want to confirm anything until we see the imaging on that."
The injury represents a significant blow for both Adams and the Vikings, who signed the defensive player to a one-year contract in July, just before training camp. Adams is familiar with MetLife Stadium, having previously played three seasons with the New York Jets after being drafted by them in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft as a safety.
Adams's career since 2020 has seen him play for several teams, including the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, and most recently the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite earning three Pro Bowl selections, his recent seasons have been hampered by injuries. He played nine or fewer games in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons.
Although he began his career as a safety, Adams transitioned to linebacker last season with the Raiders. Reports indicate the Vikings have utilized him at both safety and linebacker during training camp. O'Connell expressed his disappointment, noting Adams's immediate positive impact on the team. "In such a short amount of time, Jamal has done such an unbelievable job coming here," O'Connell said. "You feel his passion every single day. Certainly felt it spending a few moments with him before they took him in. 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."