Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (toe) missed practice again on Thursday, putting him at risk of sitting out for the third straight game this Sunday night.
Cashman suffered a turf toe injury during the Week 5 victory in London, which involves a painful sprain of the main ligament in the big toe. After the bye week, he missed the Vikings’ losses to the Lions and Rams, games where his absence was notably felt. He will likely need to participate in at least a limited practice on Friday to have a chance of playing.
On Wednesday, Kevin O’Connell expressed hope that Cashman would be available against the Colts, but that outlook is uncertain. The best-case scenario now seems to be that he practices on Friday, receives a questionable designation, and becomes a game-time decision. If he cannot play, Ivan Pace Jr. will continue to take on an every-down role, which will challenge the Vikings’ defense without their top coverage linebacker.
The only other player not practicing for the Vikings on Thursday was rookie DT Taki Taimani (ankle), who averages ten defensive snaps per game. If Taimani is unavailable, fellow rookie Levi Drake Rodriguez might make his NFL debut on Sunday. All other players, including TE T.J. Hockenson and G Dalton Risner, were full participants.
For the Colts, starting LT Bernhard Raimann (concussion) has yet to practice this week, which is worth monitoring. DE Kwity Paye (hamstring) appeared on the injury report as limited.
