Jamal Adams Loss Has Ripple Effects

Jamal Adams and the Minnesota Vikings kicked off their 2026 preseason schedule on Saturday with a 13-10 victory against the New York Giants. Kyler Murray played only the first drive after he was named the starter earlier in the week.

We saw just how little improvement has been made by J.J. McCarthy, and it’s possible his time in Minnesota will soon come to an end. However, we also saw veteran safety Jamal Adams be carted off the terrible turf featured at MetLife Stadium, and now he has been ruled out for the season.

Jamal Adams May Forever Be a “What Could’ve Been” in Minnesota

Although the Vikings didn’t list three-time Pro Bowler as a starter on their first depth chart, Jamal Adams was going to play all over the place in Brian Flores’ defense. Now done for the season, the inexperienced safety room is again a concern.

Even with Adams in tow, the Minnesota Vikings have not been shy about their desire to have Harrison Smith return for a 15th season. The eventual Hall of Famer is the NFL’s active leader in interceptions, and he brings serious experience to a group that could use it.

Flores has Josh Metellus as the only productive player at the position, and he’s not a traditional safety. Jay Ward is untested, and Theo Jackson has struggled in recent seasons. Jakobe Thomas is thought of highly, but he’s a third-round pick that would be immediately asked to contribute.

Vikings May Still Be Comfortable with Current Safeties and Linebackers

Minnesota clearly feels good enough about their current situation that Adams was a late-offseason acquisition. His contract wasn’t gaudy, and was of the non-guaranteed nature. Still, that could have been quite the come-up should his production checked in even at a reasonable level compared to his career track record.

Now the Vikings have two preseason games left, and just under a month until they kick off the season by hosting the Green Bay Packers for Week 1. Harrison Smith doesn’t need to show up for training camp, but he should be telling the coaching staff he’s in shape, ready to rock, and provide assurance that he can be there when the games count.