“At the end of the day Thank god,” Thompson wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “I’ll be back soon this is just a pause in the journey God has prepared for me! Thank yall for the support means a lot! Much love and good luck to my brothers out on the field this year.
“#36 out for now.”
Najee Thompson’s first tweet since the recent news: https://t.co/Bj8Ud2EoMZ pic.twitter.com/4u4lwSKlUS
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 22, 2024
Vikings’ Bad Luck at CB
This year has been unlike any other in Vikings history when it comes to their cornerback situation. Over the span of a month, the team brought in six different cornerbacks to their roster.
The Vikings’ string of misfortunes began with the tragic loss of promising fourth-round pick Khyree Jackson in a car accident. Following that, Najee Thompson was placed on the PUP list before training camp began, and Mekhi Blackmon sustained a season-ending knee injury during the team’s first practice. Additionally, starter Shaq Griffin missed most of training camp due to a hamstring injury he suffered on the second day.
In response, the Vikings signed Duke Shelley, Jacobi Francis, and safety Bobby McCain, who has taken snaps at cornerback. Second-year safety Jay Ward has also stepped in to cover cornerback reps.
Andrew Booth Jr., a 2022 second-round pick, didn’t make a strong enough impression this summer and was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for 2021 third-round cornerback Nahshon Wright.
Barrett has returned from injury, and the addition of Stephon Gilmore has provided the Vikings with a semblance of a solid cornerback unit. Gilmore and Barrett are expected to start on the outside, with Byron Murphy Jr. moving to the slot, his preferred position, after primarily playing as an outside corner in 2023. Undrafted rookie Dwight McGlothern is showing promise and could make the 53-man roster to contribute this season.
However, the Vikings’ bad luck at the cornerback position is likely to continue into next season.
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