So… Lewis Cine Hasn’t Practiced with the Vikings in a While

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Lewis Cine, Minnesota Vikings
An image from October 19, 2023 of practice at TCOPC in Eagan, MN.Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings canceled their annual night scrimmage/practice scheduled for Monday night, due to expected thunderstorms. Fans will receive refunds, and the scrimmage (plus evening of fan festivities) has been rescheduled for next Monday (August 12).

That’s good news for former first round pick, Lewis Cine. He hasn’t suited up for a Vikings practice in over a week due to — you guessed it — more injury issues. This time, it’s being reported as a “lower-leg soreness”. As of Saturday, the former Georgia Bulldog was still sidelined and there is no word on when he will return.

Lewis Cine missing out on his last chance to make the Minnesota Vikings roster

When suited up, Cine is that kind of playmaker, too. That’s why Kwesi Adofo-Mensah felt comfortable trading down twenty spots two offseasons ago, before drafting him. At Georgia, Lewis Cine was an uber athletic, lightning fast thumper of a safety.

During his final season, the 6’2″ 200 lb junior looked like a raw NFL prospect who was only scratching his football surface. That’s why Kwesi thought he had gotten the steal of that draft class, on defense.

Even in the VERY limited reps we’ve seen with the Vikings defense, which mostly consist of a few preseason games, the 24-year-old has shown flashes of his immense talent. In 2024, sure, every media member in town expects the 2022 No. 32 overall pick to be cut from the final roster. That wasn’t always the case, though.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to show improvement and fight your way onto the roster, when you aren’t in the ring. Two years into his NFL tenure, Lewis Cine has played in 10 regular season games for the Minnesota Vikings. He’s collected more season-ending injuries in those appearances (2), than he has tackles (1).

Related: Intense Punter Competition Emerges at Minnesota Vikings Training Camp

Cine’s only shot of keeping his job is to really pop and stand out during training camp, and in preseason games. But he has to get on the field first. For Cine’s sake, I hope his leg heals up soon. Otherwise, someone might have to help him clean out his locker and walk out of TCO Performance Center because he won’t be employed anymore.

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