Star Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mekhi Blackmon’s second pro season might be over before it starts.
Following a standout 2023 rookie season, the USC Trojans product tore his ACL during the inaugural practice day of his club’s training camp, a source informs Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
As Pelissero notes, Blackmon suited up for 15 games during his debut pro run, starting in three contests.
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Blackmon was selected with the No. 102 pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Last year, he notched 41 total tackles (34 solo, seven assisted), one fumble recovery, one interception, and eight pass deflections for the 7-10 Vikings.
Minnesota missed the playoffs, though a pair of Blackmon’s fellow defenders were named Pro Bowl starters — outside linebacker Danielle Hunter and left safety Andrew DePaolo, the latter of whom was also an Associated Press All-Pro honoree.
The Vikings’ 2023 record was a far cry from its encouraging 13-4 2022 run. The team began its year a miserable 1-4, before a string of five straight victories made them competitive in their division once again, at 6-4. Unfortunately, by the end of that run even the Vikings knew their postseason prospects were looking bleak. That’s because four-time Pro Bowl starting quarterback Kirk Cousins ruptured his Achilles tendon during a Week 8 matchup against fellow NFC North squad the Green Bay Packers.
The injury to Blackmon is just the latest in a string of indignities incurred by Minnesota this summer. Star wide receiver Jordan Addison was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence. The Vikings’ depth behind Blackmon also took a tragic hit this summer. Rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson, selected with the No. 108 pick out of the University of Oregon in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, passed away in a car accident.
More News: Vikings Plan to Honor Khyree Jackson in Special Way for 2024 NFL Season
Blackmon, 25, enjoyed a well-traveled collegiate career, following an impressive run at Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, California. The 5-foot-11, 178-pound corner spent the 2017 NCAA season plying his trade for community college the College of San Mateo, then transferred to Colorado, where he played from 2018-21.
Blackmon finally latched on with the Cardinal and Gold in 2022, during Lincoln Riley’s first year with the school. The Trojans went 11-3 in future Chicago Bears No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams’ Heisman Trophy-winning season. USC fell in its subsequent bowl game that season, the 2023 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, losing to Tulane 46-45.
In an All-Pac-12 season, Blackmon recorded 66 total tackles (45 solo, 21 assisted), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three interceptions for 31 total yards, and 13 pass deflections.
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