The Atlanta Falcons’ joint practice in August was the site of a right knee injury suffered by receiver Rondale Moore, which sidelined him for the entirety of the 2024 season. Almost precisely a year later, a similar event occurred, this time with Moore as a member of the Minnesota Vikings during Saturday’s preseason game against the Houston Texans.
Moore, who during his three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals handled 22 punt returns — 21 of which came during his rookie year of 2021 — attempted to create a significant play during the second quarter of the game against the Texans.
But after moving towards the right side and attempting to reach the edge of the field, he was tackled near the sideline by Houston linebacker Jamal Hill.
Moore immediately indicated that he was experiencing a problem, and the athletic trainers and medical staff from Minnesota rushed to provide assistance.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic reported that Moore was not putting any weight on his left leg. Vikings personnel assisted him in getting onto the cart, which Moore reportedly struck in frustration. The former second-round draft pick and Purdue standout was transported off the field while concealing his face with a towel.
Moore’s signing with the Vikings in March was motivated by the possibility of reviving his career in Minnesota. He arrived with the opportunity to contend for the WR3 position behind the team’s primary receiving duo consisting of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The scope of his potential opportunity appeared to broaden earlier in the week when Addison received a three-game suspension from the NFL due to a DUI charge from 2024.
Prior to Moore’s season-ending injury in Atlanta, he had started in 23 games as a wide receiver across three seasons with the Cardinals, who selected him as the 49th overall pick in the 2021 draft.
During his three-year tenure in Arizona, Pro Football Focus indicates that 67.3% of his pass snaps occurred in the slot. His most productive receiving season was his first year, during which he recorded a career-high 54 receptions for 435 yards and, according to PFF, forced 13 missed tackles. He also averaged 8.1 yards per punt return, with a longest return of 27 yards.
Unfortunately for Moore, he only managed to reach the end zone once during that year.
Moore never surpassed the 500-yard mark in a single receiving season with the Cardinals. While Arizona devised inventive strategies to get the ball into his hands — he carried it 28 times for 178 yards and one touchdown in 2023 — the 5-foot-7, 181-pound receiver was unable to consistently replicate the exceptional performance he demonstrated at Purdue.
Moore’s move to Minnesota was driven by his desire to rediscover that level of explosive play.
The injury he sustained on Saturday may have significantly hampered that goal, introducing yet another setback.
