Vikings Preseason Opener: Adams Injury, Running Game Flash in 13-10 Win
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EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey — The Minnesota Vikings opened their 2026 preseason with a hard-fought 13-10 win over the New York Giants on Saturday, offering a glimpse of a team still in transition. Head coach Kevin O’Connell trotted out most of his projected starters for the first quarter, giving fans a brief taste of what the regular season might hold. However, the absence of superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who was held out as a precaution, was felt. More concerning was the loss of a key defensive piece in the victory.
Jamal Adams, the versatile defensive back signed in late July to inject experience and toughness into Brian Flores’ scheme, made an immediate impact on the opening series. He darted through the line on a blitz to stop a Giants’ shotgun run for a loss. But early in the second quarter, while covering a shallow route in the red zone, Adams went down with an apparent leg injury after minimal contact. He spent a lengthy period in the medical tent before being carted off the field. Teammates, defensive coordinator Flores, and O’Connell all gathered to check on him. Postgame, O’Connell revealed that imaging showed a right knee injury that was “not good.” The head coach said he was “just crushed” for Adams, praising the role he was carving out in such a short stint. The MetLife Stadium turf, long criticized for its link to ligament injuries, again came under scrutiny.
Despite the injury cloud, the Vikings’ offense provided reasons for optimism. The running game, a major focus of training camp under new assistant head coach Frank Smith, delivered on its first outing. Aaron Jones took a stretch handoff left for 18 yards on the opening play from scrimmage. Later in the drive, Jordan Mason found a cutback lane on a designed stretch and rumbled for 15 yards. These chunk plays were a welcome sight for a team that managed only seven runs of 20-plus yards all last season, the seventh-lowest total in the NFL. Mason’s longest run in 2025 was 24 yards, and Jones’ was 31. It is worth noting that the Giants fielded the league’s worst rushing defense last year, allowing 5.3 yards per carry, and their full defensive starters were not on the field Saturday.
Kyler Murray, named the starting quarterback earlier in the week, played only one series. He was in control, hitting a play-action pass for a short gain and connecting with Jordan Addison on an 8-yard out route on third down to move the chains. Murray finished 2 of 3; his only incompletion was a third-down pass to Jones that bounced off the running back’s hands, forcing a field goal. J.J. McCarthy quarterbacked the next three series and failed to produce any points. His decision-making was inconsistent, and he was hindered by a lack of protection up front, a dropped pass, and penalties. The offense stalled under his direction.
In the second half, Carson Wentz relieved McCarthy and immediately sparked the offense. He led a 57-yard drive that ended in a field goal, then capitalized on a Giants turnover with a 1-yard fade touchdown pass to Myles Price, who made a one-handed grab. Price finished with four catches for 51 yards and the score. Wentz also delivered a clutch third-down strike on a rollout to Marshall Lang in the final two minutes to seal the win. The veteran went 9 of 14 for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Vikings’ starting unit was solid, limiting the Giants’ run game and sacking quarterback Jaxson Dart twice. But a breakdown on a 3rd-and-23 screen pass allowed a 40-yard gain, setting up New York’s only touchdown drive of the first half. Dart escaped the pocket and lofted a 15-yard pass to Malachi Fields, who beat linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. on a contested catch.
Other notes: Quarterback Max Brosmer played only one series before exiting with an apparent hand or wrist injury, forcing Wentz back into the game. Kicker Will Reichard was perfect on two field goal attempts, including a 54-yarder. Linebacker Jacob Roberts and defensive back Jacob Thomas each intercepted Giants’ third-stringer Brandon Allen in the second half. The Vikings now face a week of uncertainty regarding Adams’ recovery, while the running game and quarterback depth chart continue to generate conversation.
Article commentary
The Vikings’ preseason opener in East Rutherford was a microcosm of the team’s broader narrative: flashes of promise clouded by a significant injury setback. Jamal Adams’ apparent serious knee injury is a gut punch for a defense that was counting on his versatility and edge. Signed just weeks ago after his career derailed by a quad injury, Adams was reinventing himself as a hybrid piece in Brian Flores’ aggressive scheme. Losing him for an extended period would force Flores to recalibrate, especially given the team’s thin depth at safety. The MetLife turf factor, again a topic of critique, underscores the league’s ongoing struggle with player safety in certain stadiums. On the brighter side, the running game showed tangible improvement under Frank Smith’s zone-heavy design. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason both flashed explosive cuts that the Vikings lacked in 2025. The emphasis on stretch runs and cutback lanes produced two runs of 15-plus yards on the first drive alone—a positive sign for an offense that ranked near the bottom in big-run plays. However, the sample size is small, and the Giants’ defense was playing without its top starters. The real test will come in the regular season against stiffer competition. Quarterback dynamics remain the most intriguing storyline. Kyler Murray’s brief cameo was efficient, but he didn’t face any pressure or need to make complex reads. J.J. McCarthy’s struggles, while partly due to poor protection and support, raise questions about his readiness as a backup. The Vikings’ decision to name Murray the starter was a career-defining choice for head coach Kevin O’Connell, who is entering his fifth season without a playoff win. Murray’s experience and calm demeanor might be the safer bet, but McCarthy’s development is essential for long-term depth. Carson Wentz’s solid performance against third-stringers doesn’t change the hierarchy but provides a safety net. Defensively, the unit’s breakdown on the 3rd-and-23 screen is a red flag, but it’s preseason—coordinators often experiment with coverages. The interceptions by Jacob Roberts and Jacob Thomas against backup quarterbacks are encouraging, but the depth chart remains unsettled. The absence of Justin Jefferson, while precautionary, left the offense without its primary weapon, but the run game’s productivity partially compensated. Overall, the game offered a mixed bag. The Adams injury creates a hole that will test the team’s resilience, while the running game’s early success hints at a more balanced offensive identity. The quarterback competition, though ostensibly settled, hasn’t fully quieted questions. As the preseason progresses, O’Connell will need to manage injuries, evaluate talent, and build a cohesive unit that can finally break the playoff drought. For now, the Vikings have a win, a worry, and a reason to keep watching.