Kevin O’Connell begins his fourth year as Vikings head coach with a preseason win over Houston, 20-10. Even with the achievement on his side, not everything is looking up for him. The injury cloud has gathered once again, hitting the O-Line. Last season, O’Connell delivered a 14-3 regular season record and secured a playoff berth. This time, the results were supposed to be duplicated by J.J. McCarthy, who had been handed the keys to the kingdom after recovering from last season’s torn right meniscus. The team brought in wideout Rondale Moore on a one-year deal to bolster McCarthy’s arsenal, yet that plan may already be unraveling. From the current outlook, O’Connell might never see his new weapon fully utilized.

Rondale Moore can not seem to catch a break. Last year it was his right knee, and this time it is his left leg. He missed last season with the Atlanta Falcons after a torn ACL and saw a troubling repeat of history in the first preseason game against Houston. With 10:30 left in the second quarter, Moore fielded a Tommy Townsend punt and returned it two yards. He was brought down along the sideline by Texans linebacker Jamal Hill, and immediately, it was clear something was wrong.

The moment quickly shifted from routine to grim. In an X post, the update read, “INJURY REPORT: @Vikings WR Rondale Moore to undergo an MRI after suffering a significant knee injury today per HC Kevin O’Connell.” The message landed hard for fans who had been eager to see Moore finally suit up for a full season.

Moore could not put any weight on his injured leg and was carted off the field. The sight triggered an uneasy sense of déjà vu for the Vikings faithful. The fear now is that last season’s frustrating absence could haunt him again, with results from the MRI looming over the team’s preseason optimism. A viral video on X by reporter Jason Harmon showed “A few of the guys have walked to the sideline to kneel/pray for Rondale Moore.” Prayers might be the only thing that can break Moore’s rather long string of bad luck.

Rondale Moore’s career filled with highs and lows

Rondale Moore entered the NFL with the full weight of expectation after being selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, 49th overall by the Arizona Cardinals. His speed was breathtaking, the kind that could turn a routine five-yard slant into a crowd-roaring highlight. The Bleacher Report scouting report in 2021 captured it perfectly, noting, “Explosive athlete at the WR position. Can get to max speed in a hurry and make defenses pay if they’re slow to react.” His 4.29-second 40-yard dash at Purdue’s Pro Day sealed the belief, earning him a four-year rookie contract. All these perks definitely had the Vikings inclined towards him, despite the numbers and injuries telling a different story.

In Arizona, the story took a different turn. Kliff Kingsbury preferred to deploy Moore as a hybrid weapon, often near the line of scrimmage with quick screens and short passes. While there were flashes of downfield brilliance, the opportunities were limited. Moore never quite found the rhythm to unleash his full potential in that system.

His time in Arizona ended after one season under Jonathan Gannon. The Cardinals traded him to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for quarterback Desmond Ridder. Moore did not see the field in 2024, and the comeback trail began when he signed with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. His NFL totals currently stand at 135 receptions for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns in 39 career games, a set of numbers that falls short of the fireworks many once expected.

The college resume tells another story entirely. Moore was a force at Purdue, recording 178 catches for 1,915 yards and 14 touchdowns in his NCAA career. His freshman season in 2018 was historic, with 114 receptions, 1,258 yards, and 12 touchdowns, earning him both Big Ten Receiver of the Year and Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. That same year, he delivered an unforgettable 12-catch, 170-yard, two-touchdown performance in Purdue’s stunning 49-20 upset over No. 2 Ohio State. It remains the gold standard of what he can do when everything clicks.

Kevin O’Connell had finally pieced together a decent O-Line after doubts making rounds about his Year 2 QB (who is, in essence, a rookie). But the injury bug threatens to pull his plans apart before the season gets going.