Vikings' Jamal Adams out for the year due to knee injury

Minnesota Vikings safety Jamal Adams was forced to leave Saturday's preseason game against the New York Giants due to a lower-body injury. After the game, team officials revealed the initial tests did not bode well for Adams' recovery. Confirming the news on Sunday, Ian Rapoport reported that Adams would miss the entire 2026 season due to a torn right quadriceps.

This injury is a significant setback for Adams, who was already dealing with health issues since his 2022 knee injury. At 31 years old, Adams has struggled to maintain consistent playing time over the past four seasons, playing in only 32 out of 68 possible games. The loss of Adams also creates a void in the Vikings' defense, as he had quickly integrated into head coach Brian Flores' system during training camp, displaying his athleticism and instincts with notable tackles.

Now, the team must decide whether to find a new safety or attempt to bring back veteran safety Harrison Smith for a 15th season.