Blake Cashman‘s Week 1 hamstring injury made him a candidate for injured reserve. A month-long absence (if not longer) is indeed now in store for the veteran linebacker. 
Cashman was placed on IR Thursday, per a team announcement. As a result, he is now set to miss at least the next four games. Minnesota also placed running back and kick returner Ty Chandler on injured reserve.
Cashman split his first five seasons between the Jets and Texans, becoming a full-time starter in 2023. The Eden Prairie native then signed with his hometown team last offseason and again operated as a first-team regular, setting new career highs in several categories along the way. Cashman handled 43 defensive snaps before getting injured on Monday.
The Minnesota product is in line to remain a key figure at the second level of Brian Flores’ defense when healthy. That will not be the case until at least Week 7, however, given the timing of the Vikings’ bye. In the meantime, the team will move forward with veteran Eric Wilson as a fill-in starter. Cashman is on the books through 2026, although none of his salary for that year is guaranteed.
A quick return to action will therefore be key in that situation, and the same is also true of Chandler. The former fifth-rounder has seen sparse usage on offense over the course of his Vikings tenure, but he has been an important special teams contributor. That includes his work in the return game; on Monday, Chandler ran back three kickoffs for a total of 84 yards. The 27-year-old is a pending free agent.
The Vikings’ fourth-quarter comeback in Week 1 led to a win. They will aim to improve to 2-0 against the Falcons on Sunday night, but Cashman and Chandler’s absence will be felt.