Rondale Moore lasted just one play.
His season could be over barely after it started.
The 25-year-old receiver suffered a “pretty significant” injury to his left knee during the Vikings’ 20-10 preseason win over the Texans on Saturday, head coach Kevin O’Connell said after the game.
O’Connell did not say exactly what the injury is, but described it as “heartbreaking.”
Moore missed all of last year due to a right knee injury he suffered during training camp while with the Falcons.
Saturday’s injury came on a punt return in what was Moore’s first play back from last year’s injury.
After being tackled by Texans linebacker Jamal Hill, he immediately grabbed at his left knee in pain.
Moore was carted off the field, and he slammed his hands on the cart out of frustration.
“It’s one of the most painful things for me as a head coach when I feel that emotion,” O’Connell said. “I make a life out of trying to leave others better than I found them. In that situation, there is nothing I can do, which is the worst feeling as a coach. So you just consult with him and make sure that he knows he’s not going to be alone.”
Moore was originally drafted by the Cardinals in the second round in 2021, but his career has often been riddled with injuries.
He played just eight games in 2022 due to various ailments.
Now, if Saturday’s injury causes him to miss the season, he will go two seasons without playing a regular-season game.
“I have to watch the play back before I truly can give [an answer] on it,” O’Connell said. “But it was very, very unfortunate. It seemed like it had a lot of the characteristics of [the hip-drop tackle], but I know it is a three-part kind of process to actually call that on the field. We’ll see when we watch the tape. I don’t think there was any bad intent there.”
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