Three Gophers went in the 2025 NFL Draft. Offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery was selected in the second round. (48th overall) by the Houston Texans, who the Vikings play this weekend in week one of the preseason. Ersery is listed as a starter on the Texans week one preseason depth chart.

Minnesota Gophers CB Justin Walley out for Indianapolis Colts

Cornerback Justin Walley was the Gopher player taken, going in the third round to the Indianapolis Colts (80th overall). He too was eyeing up a starting role with his new team.

Unfortunately, he left the Colts’ joint practice Tuesday vs the Baltimore Ravens with an injury. After Indy’s first preseason game of the year on Thursday, head coach Shane Steichen revealed the season-ending injury to Colts reporters during his postgame press conference.

Colts HC Shane Steichen said rookie third-round pick Justin Walley, who was challenging to start at cornerback, suffered a season-ending torn ACL.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 8, 2025

Walley’s torn ACL derails what was unfolding as an impressive rookie training camp for the four-year Minnesota Gopher, who was vying for a starting spot on the Colts defense. The Indianapolis Colts went just 8-9 last season and were pumped to get such a secondary upgrade in the 3rd round of the draft.

As a senior in Dinkytown last season, Walley played in 10 games, totalled 25 tackles, and collected a pair of interceptions, one of which he housed. Mostly, opposing QBs avoided Walley as often as possible. He was the CB1 for a top-10 ranked passing defense in the nation.

Support, Love & Family 〽️@JustinWalley_ chose Minnesota for all the right reasons and it led him to the @NFL and the @Colts‼️ #pROWGophers pic.twitter.com/qpiJgn0vZw

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) April 26, 2025

Colts organization extremely high on Walley’s NFL future

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait before we see him make NFL waves. Instead, the road ahead for Walley will be one of rehab. ACL injuries are not uncommon in the league, and knowing Walley, he will quickly get his oar back in the water. More than likely, PJ Fleck was one of the first people he talked to, following the diagnosis.

When Justin Walley returns to the Colts secondary next season, he will have three years remaining on his rookie deal. This injury won’t define the young CB’s career, but how much of a footnote it becomes will be up to him.

Given what those in the Colts organization have said about Walley since he arrived in Indy, I’d bet on him making a full recovery and making an impact in the NFL sooner than later.

#Colts GM Chris Ballard on CB Justin Walley:

“He's freaking good. He's really good. He broke his wrist, and in a time where people don't want to workout, he does everything.. with a cast on. 40 game starter in B1G. He's athletic, fast, can play outside and in.”

🎥: @Colts pic.twitter.com/k4wxOxbJ3w

— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) April 26, 2025

Related: New Gophers QB Tasked With More Responsibilities at LOS

Justin Walley is standing out early at #Colts Training Camp, even with twice the usual workload.#ForTheShoe | @CBS4Indy pic.twitter.com/DJHbxJ54d8

— Caleb Spinner (@CalebSpinner) July 25, 2025

JJ answered a few questions that had been circling during his absence. He laughed when asked if he really thought about sitting out the rest of the season, citing his dedication to the Vikings, teammates and an eventual HOF induction. But in the end, said he isn’t returning until 100% healthy, leaving much to be desired on when he’ll be in uniform and available again.

Vikings’ WR Justin Jefferson — who has missed the past four games due to a hamstring injury — said he can’t yet put a date on when he might return. He said he wants to be 100 percent before he returns, but also still calls himself day to day.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 9, 2023

Justin Jefferson won’t play until hamstring is 100%

Throughout the interview, Jefferson made it clear how much he is itching to play football again, and he’s shown his dedication to teammates by being present around the facilities throughout the week and on the sideline + locker room during games.

But JJ also made it very clear that he is not going to be on that field again until his bad hamstring is 100% again. Not 80% or 90%… he needs it to be 100%, which he said it is getting closer and closer to being every day.

“It’s all about how I’m feeling and how strong the hamstring is. Hamstring is a difficult injury because it lingers. It comes back from time to time if you don’t put the right treatment into it. The guys and the rest of the coaching staff in this building know my worth on this field. They want me 100%, which I do as well. I don’t want to go out there 80-90% and have the chance of hurting it again. It’s just day-to-day, like I said. When that time comes, I’ll definitely be ready to step out on that field.”

Vikings record has no effect on Jefferson’s return

Another thing that JJ wanted to make clear today with media, was that his eventual return has nothing to do with the Minnesota Vikings win/loss record. There were rumors floating a few weeks ago that Jefferson may elect not to return, if the team didn’t turn their season around.

We never got to find for sure, because the Vikings are on a 4-game winning streak, since JJ’s injury and their record is now 5-4. But Jefferson told reporters Thursday that he is dedicated to being there for his teammates, no matter the team’s record, and that he’s also motivated to one day being enshrined into the NFL Hall of Fame. In his words, that will be a lot more difficult if he isn’t on the field.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson says regardless of the team’s record he was committed on returning, on being here for this team. Said he always talks about wanting to be a Hall of Famer — missing games doesn’t align with that goal. pic.twitter.com/1OFJRdV7yH

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) November 9, 2023

Reporter: “How sure were you that you wanted to come back this season and play?”

JJ: “Oh, that’s a no-brainer. I’m always going to want to play football, whether we didn’t win a game or we’ve won every single game. I love the game of football. I always say that I want to be a Hall of Famer so I can’t be sitting out missing games for the fun of it and just because we’re not doing well. I know that I have a big role on this team and I know that every chance I get to be on this field, I want to make the most of those opportunities.”

JJ doles out blame for his hamstring injury

When asked about what he thinks caused the hamstring injury he suffered one month ago vs the Kansas City Chiefs, JJ blamed it mostly on being a freak accident. I did find it interesting, however, that he also heaped blame on himself, noting that he needs to do a better job of keeping his feet under him and being under control while moving.

When multiple reporters tried to get him to place blame on the U.S. Bank Stadium turf, which is being replaced in the offseason, Jefferson refused to take the bait, though he did say it’s possible his home field turf had something to do with the injury.

JJ: “Yeah, it was a freak accident. I felt pretty good going into the game. I didn’t really have any hamstring problems; a little tightness but not really too much to be worried about. Yeah, it just happened. Bad timing, bad positioning. But I also have to look at my technique, having my footwork under me, my feet under me and not get into those types of situations.

Reporter: You don’t think the turf had any issue, there?

JJ: It could have had a slight issue but I’m not going to blame it on the turf.

Reporter: Do you have any trepidation about playing on the split-field surface coming off of this?

JJ: Ummm, I mean, it is what it is. Every team is not going to have the perfect surface. And that just goes back to me saying that I need to be 100% whenever I step out onto that that field. I don’t want to have any doubts in my mind that it’s going to come back or that it’s going to continue to linger throughout the season. So I feel like that is the main objective, at this moment, is to get to 100%.

We still do not know when Justin Jefferson will return to the play games for the Minnesota Vikings. But one thing is clear, he did an absolute master class in this interview on how to say everything needed, without saying really anything at all.

Not only can JJ catch footballs with the best of them, he can spin a narrative in pretty impressive fashion, as well. Here is JJ’s full interview:

LIVE: WR Justin Jefferson speaks to the media. https://t.co/ngcLkfwPEZ

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 9, 2023

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Kirk Cousins injury: Torn Achilles

On Monday, the inevitable was made official when it was reported that an MRI has revealed that Kirk Cousins did indeed tear his Achilles tendon this weekend. Any hope that remained among teammates and fans, even if it was only the smallest amount, is now gone. Kirk is out for the year.

An MRI has confirmed the #Vikings’ fears: Four-time Pro Bowl QB Kirk Cousins tore his right Achilles tendon and his 2023 season is over.

Cousins underwent an MRI this morning at Twin Cities Orthopedics. Timeline and details of his upcoming surgery will be determined this week. pic.twitter.com/Z7WMO3iLAR

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 30, 2023

Even before Adam Schefter, reported Cousins’ injury as a torn Achilles, effectively ending his season, Dr David Chao, who’s become internet famous for his immediate bird’s eye diagnosis of football injuries every week, speculated what would later be reported, then eventually confirmed.

Related: 4 Free Agent Quarterbacks Vikings Could Call to Replace Kirk Cousins

By video, worry for right Achilles tendon rupture while stepping back before getting sacked – if confirmed, out for the season – carted to locker room and ruled out with ankle but likely an Achilles tendon tear

Dr. David Chao – Sports Injury Central

We saw the same thing happen to Aaron Rodgers, earlier this season, and Mohamed Ibrahim in 2021 vs Ohio State. When the replay is slowed down, you can see what appears to be Kirk Cousins’ Achilles tendon snapping.

By video, worry for a significant right leg injury for #SKOL QB Kirk Cousins

Analysis here⏩https://t.co/ln324aVWuH pic.twitter.com/nbgG48Un9U

— Sports Injury Central (@SICscore) October 29, 2023

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Kevin O’Connell reacts to Kirk Cousins Achilles injury

After the game, head coach Kevin O’Connell gave an update on Kirk’s condition and expressed his appreciation for the QB who has meant so much to the Vikings’ success in 2022 and keeping their season afloat in 2023.

Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles today, per source. An MRI will be taken to confirm.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2023

“I’m thinking of Kirk, our locker room every single player in our locker room, you know, thinking about our leader, our guy, right now. I’m just so proud of him; proud of the way he’s played all season long and, you know, whatever is the case, if we don’t have him for one snap or for the duration of our season, that will not change the fact of what I believe Kirk cousins to the level he played to, this year, and ultimately what he’s meant to me and our organization.”

Minnesota Vikings teammates react to Cousins injury

In the Vikings locker room, after the win in Lambeau, vibes felt a lot more like a loss. Some teammates, tried to display any semblance of a “next man up” mentality. But others were more honest with how devastating the loss is to the team’s leadership core and their chances of winning, going forward.

Here are some comments from the #Vikings postgame locker room about the Kirk Cousins injury.

Note – most of these players didn't know what officially had happened to No. 8 at the time of the interviews. @KSTPSports pic.twitter.com/y7b6UK4nYA

— Alec Ausmus (@A_TwiceKSTP) October 29, 2023

Garrett Bradbury: “It was just weird. You know, whenever the Vikings are out there, Kirk’s out there, you know? So, like I said, we’ll wait and see and umm, I’m impressed with the way Jaren [Hall] stepped in.”

KJ Osborn: “Of course, man. I mean, that’s the whole team, though. You know, if our guy’s out, you know, that’s that’s the whole team. But again, we got our fingers crossed, but we try to play to that standard, you know, regardless, you know, of who’s in there. We have a high standard in our receiver room. So we just try to play to that standard every Sunday.”

Jordan Addison: “Mmm he got a big impact on, not just the receiver room, but everybody in here. His leadership… he’s just… that’s just a guy that we need around. But even though he’s down, we know he still gonna be around. He’s still going to help the quarterback room out. He’s still going to help the defense. He still going to help the receivers.”

Related: Just Admit It: Kirk Cousins is an Elite NFL Quarterback

Christian Darrisaw: “[Kirk’s injury] means everything. That’s our leader. The guy is his who you want to be your quarterback and to see something happen to him, it kinda just hurts a little bit. It takes away from his win a little bit, but we’re praying for Kirk and we’re in good spirits.”

Alexander Mattison: “Just in general, we all just understand, when anyone goes down, we all have to just continue to step our game up and next man up mentality of filling in that role and, you know, exceeding expectations. So,, you know praying for his health praying for him, his family. But we understand that we have to just continue to be the Vikings, we have to go out there and make sure that we do that.”

Jordan Hicks: “This is… this is NFL football, you know, every season something’s gonna happen and it’s on the team, it’s on the people around… to rally… to be, uh, be clos. But, you know, we’re hoping for the best.”

There’s no doubt this team knows exactly how important Kirk Cousins is to the Minnesota Vikings winning football games. At 4-4, they are firmly in the thick of the NFC playoff race and their schedule is one of the easiest remaining in all of the NFL.

Still, can Jaren Hall, Nick Mullins, Sean Mannion or a QB not currently on roster really step in and help win enough games to get the Vikings into the postseason? I’m skeptical.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

After the four weeks is up, players can be taken off IR, and still have 21 days to practice with their team, before they are required to be activated to the 53-man roster. With the spot that opened, as a result of Davenport hitting IR, the Vikings activated RB Kene Nwangwu who was in his post IR 3-week practice window.

#Vikings roster moves

– Placed OLB Marcus Davenport on IR

– Activated RB Kene Nwangwu to 53-man roster

– WR Jalen Nailor designated for return; returned to practice pic.twitter.com/VFArUR3gVw

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 18, 2023

Marcus Davenport placed on Injured Reserve

Ian Rapoport (NFL Network) reported on Monday night that the oft-injured former New Orleans Saint was expected to land on injured reserve. Rapoport’s initial report put Davenport’s recovery time as 4-6 weeks.

Related: Behind Scenes, Vikings Readily Fielding Flood of Trade Offers for Key Players

The Vikings signed Davenport early last offseason, as a legitimate threat for offensive lines to deal with, opposite Danielle Hunter. When available, he completely changes the dynamic of Minnesota’s defense.

Much like Hunter, he’s an athletic anomaly, standing at 6’6″, 265 pounds with agility, speed and power that neither physics nor chemistry can reasonably explain.

Signing backfiring on Minnesota Vikings all season

But you’re only as good as your availability and we’re talking about a supposedly key defensive player who has not been available for the Minnesota Vikings very often, since his signing. An injury to his other ankle kept Marcus sidelined for most of the first three weeks, before he was briefly able to showcase his obvious talent in weeks 4 and 5.

Unfortunately, that impressive 1st impression didn’t last more than 2.5 weeks. And now, his numbers on the season (3 starts, 118 snaps, 7 tackles, 2 sacks) will remain dormant through, at least, week 10.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Defense Rankings 2023 – Week 7

Again, numbers only tell so much of the story. Marcus is well-worth his contract, likely much more, if healthy. But that is not reality and the Vikings are going to pay for this signing the rest of this season.

.@DWonnum got the sack.

But it doesn't happen without @DHunt94_TX's presence and Marcus Davenport's spin move.

📺: https://t.co/9xxfFo5eic pic.twitter.com/qXYMmE34DX

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 4, 2023

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Minnesota Vikings put Justin Jefferson on Injured Reserve

But on Tuesday morning, it was reported by Tom Pelissero (NFL Network) that Justin Jefferson was on his way to Injured Reserve, meaning he will be out at least 4 weeks, possibly more.

The #Vikings plan to place WR Justin Jefferson on injured reserve because of the hamstring injury he suffered in Sunday’s loss to Kansas City, per sources.

The exact timeline is TBD based on how he responds to treatment. But Jefferson is out at least four games. pic.twitter.com/hBAYZHZqlV

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 10, 2023

More on the breaking news from @gmfb: The #Vikings are placing their superstar WR Justin Jefferson on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/OboaZ7yRbv

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 10, 2023

Kevin O’Connell foreshadowed Jefferson’s absence

When Kevin O’Connell came to the podium on Monday, to face reporters, the morning after another loss dropped his team to 1-4 on the season, he started his presser with an update on Jefferson’s status, before answering a few questions about his injury.

Related: Numbers Say TJ Hockenson Extension Paying Dividends; Eye Test Says Different

He said that JJ’s timetable for return is not exactly known and that additional testing was required before they announced any official injury status. But, the context within his non-announcement, and the tone in which he said it, did not give off vibes of positivity.

The Vikings head coach said that Jefferson was “down” today, which is weird given how much energy he normally brings to TCO Performance Center, no matter the day. Here is his interview, in it’s entirety.

I'd guess at least two weeks, just given this part alone… pic.twitter.com/yCk952pHs7

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) October 9, 2023

After his most mediocre start of the season turned into an early exit, due to an injured hamstring, Jefferson has fallen to 3rd in the NFL with 571 receiving yards and 7th with 36 receptions. JJ will no longer be mentioned among the league leaders for receivers, after his IR stint. But in reality, there’s a lot more at stake than that.

Read the rest of our Minnesota Vikings blogs.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Byron Buxton re-starts rehab assignment with Saints

That process will start on Thursday, with less than two weeks remaining in the 2023 regular season, when Buxton re-starts his rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints. Byron is expected to be in the Triple-A lineup as the squad’s designated hitter.

Byron Buxton will re-start a rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A St. Paul.

He's expected to start at designated hitter. Would be his first game action since pausing his initial rehab assignment on September 1.

Saints' season ends Sunday.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) September 21, 2023

Byron Buxton was on a rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints a couple of weeks ago, when he was lifted after two plate appearances due to soreness in his patellar tendon (knee). Two nights earlier, he started the rehab assignment playing center field for the first time since August 2022.

If Buxton is going to crack the Twins’ wildcard round playoff roster, he will have to prove he can play center field without needing a week off right after. This is the first step (again) in that happening. We’ll see if his recent cortisone shot has helped his knee enough to withstand 9 innings in the outfield.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Byron Buxton hasn’t been in the Minnesota Twins lineup since August 1, after going on the injured list with a strained hamstring. But earlier this week, he began a rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints and started his first game back in center field, something he hadn’t done since August 22, 2022.

Buxton and the Twins were hoping he’d be able to play some centerfield, so they’d have a spot for him in their 2023 playoff lineup. As a designated hitter this season, Buxton has been mostly terrible (.207/.294/.438), which puts Rocco Baldelli in a difficult spot, when making out the game 1 wildcard lineup, especially if Byron can’t play defense.

That plan took a hit in Buxton’s 2nd rehab appearance, when he was removed from the lineup (DH), after two at-bats, because of soreness in his patella tendon (knee). Rocco played it off cool, at the time, but there’s no doubt the Twins are concerned about his status going forward.

Byron Buxton to meet with Twins brass about plan for knee

On Friday, according to Phil Miller (Star Tribune), Byron is not on his way to Louisville with the Saints and plans, instead, to meet with Twins’ brass at Target Field so the two sides can formulate a plan for him and his knee going forward this season.

As the Twins move closer to an American League Central Division title, they hope to receive more clarity on Byron Buxton’s status Friday.

Front office and medical staff planned to meet with Buxton to discuss his right knee injury that paused his rehab assignment and next steps in his attempt to get back in the Twins lineup. Buxton played two games at Class AAA St. Paul, one in center field and one at designated hitter, before patella tendinitis flared up in his right knee.

Darren Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP) has mentioned on multiple occasions the past handful of weeks that Byron Buxton has been ready for months, in his own mind, to play center field. Is that still how he is feeling, after being removed from the Saints game last week, just two nights after he made his return to center field?

And here is some of what Byron Buxton told us pregame. A rehab assignment seems to be fast approaching, one that is expected to see him play CF. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/74qkdw2MZ4

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) August 28, 2023

It sounds like we’ll soon find out.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Twins brush off Byron Buxton’s knee soreness

He was in St. Paul’s lineup as the designated hitter, before being pulled, but did open his rehab stint two nights earlier (Wednesday) as the Saints’ center fielder. It was the first time he had played defense in a real baseball game since August, 2022. Unfortunately, less than 48 hours later, his right knee wasn’t recovered enough to DH.

Concerning, right? Apparently not. Rocco Baldelli talked to reporters, prior to the Twins’ 9-7 win over the Texas Rangers Saturday night, and seemed unconcerned regarding both Byron’s sore right knee and his removal from the Triple-A lineup a night earlier.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — The patella tendinitis that flared up in Byron Buxton’s right knee Friday is not new, and it wasn’t particularly unexpected, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said a day later. It’s a normal reaction, in a surgically repaired joint, to the increased stress of ramping up to game-level intensity after being sidelined a month by a hamstring injury, Baldelli emphasized.

“He didn’t hurt himself. It’s just a matter of, the more he’s on his feet, the more his knee is feeling it right now,” Baldelli said. “He’s had this before. We’ll continue to treat it day-to-day, like we have all along. We still expect him back this year.”

Phil Miller – Star Tribune

Are Twins being too nonchalant?

I guess, if Rocco isn’t concerned, we shouldn’t be either, right? I mean, I have a bad knee that gets sore when I increase my level of physical activity — from ‘pretty much none’ (maybe some yard work every once in awhile) up to ‘minimal running, jumping’ (a softball game or heavier yard work).

The difference, you ask? Byron Buxton is a professional athlete, who has an entire team focused daily on getting his body, and any ailments, as right as humanly possible. I sit inside on my computer all day and avoid the doctor’s office at all costs.

Buck has immediate access to scans, treatments and injections that would cost most of us $100’s of thousands in insurance claims.. Massage therapists, physical therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, strength coaches, doctors, a full training staff, training programs, hot-tubs, cold-tubs, saunas, etc etc etc.

With all the resources available to Buxton and the Twins, there isn’t a known treatment option or medical opinion they don’t have access to. Yet, this man’s knee still cannot handle one 7-inning appearance in center field without needing 3-4 days off to recover?

We’re talking about baseball, here. Not football or hockey, where his knee could take direct contact from other participants. It’s not basketball, where he would be cutting, jumping, sprinting and squatting for 80% of play. Don’t tell these facts to Rocco, though…

Baldelli wouldn’t predict when Buxton, who received treatment on his knee Saturday, might return to action. “He’s been doing well, working hard to get back,” Baldelli said. “It’s just hard to match the intensity of game speed.”

Phil Miller – Star Tribune

Seriously, how many times did Buck have to move around on Wednesday night and how rigorous were his movements, while playing center field for the Saints? He probably swung a bat 8-20 times, threw a ball around, ran some bases, jogged out to and in from center field 7-8 times and he maybe sprinted after a fly ball or two? Yes Rocco, baseball “game speed” is so intense…

Skeptical optimist or Optimistic skeptic?

Rocco & Co can play it cool, if that makes them feel better about the situation. But clearly, Byron Buxton’s knee is nowhere near right. If he can’t play center field, come playoff time, there’s no way they can write Buxton into the postseason lineup. He’s been absolutely atrocious all season as a DH.

Are they really going to have him come off the bench, during the playoffs? That would be a tough look, for a player who has 5 years, $75million left on his contract. So, I hope Baldelli is right not to be worried. That Buxton does return before the playoffs start and that he can be written into game-1 of the AL Wildcard round in center field.

But that doesn’t seem very likely, at this point. And it’s clear Byron Buxton and the Twins need to take a more aggressive approach to fixing his knee next offseason.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Byron Buxton experienced soreness in the patella tendon of his right knee on Friday, and was removed from Saints' game after two at-bats as DH, a Twins spokesman says. Team will evaluate and update his condition on Saturday.

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) September 2, 2023

Byron Buxton’s body hates him.

Buxton’s body continues to betray him and it’s one of the saddest thing I’ve watched in my 30+ years as a Minnesota sports fan. His career path is almost too Minnesota to be real. But he’s not the first Twins talent to have his bright blossoming career ruined by health issues. Joe Mauer (concussions), Francisco Liriano (elbow) and Justin Morneau (concussions) all fell victim before him.

Hopefully, I’m writing Byron Buxton’s professional eulogy too soon but it’s getting more and more difficult to see his baseball future in a positive light. We’ll see if this means the end to any hopes that Buck plays center field, come playoff time. If so, postseason lineups could get tricky.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan