Vikings-Jaguars inactives: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace in; Trevor Lawrence out

Cashman will make his return to action after missing the last three games.
Sep 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Sep 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. / Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
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Blake Cashman is officially set to make his return to action after missing the Vikings' last three games due to a turf toe injury. Minnesota's top linebacker is active for today's game against the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

Also active is fellow LB Ivan Pace Jr. (knee), who filled in for Cashman over the last few weeks as a full-time player in the green dot role. He'll likely settle back into a rotational role where he plays in certain personnel groupings.

The Vikings getting Cashman back today means their defense will be at full strength for the first time since Week 5 against the Jets in London. Cashman, who came over from the Texans in free agency this spring, was having a great start to the season before getting hurt. He's good against the run, but more importantly, he's the Vikings' best coverage linebacker.

Minnesota's inactives:

* DT Levi Drake Rodriguez
* CB Fabian Moreau
* CB Dwight McGlothern
* C Dan Feeney
* T Walter Rouse

The Jaguars will be without starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder), which was confirmed earlier on Sunday morning. They'll go with backup Mac Jones, who will be making his first start since last November as a member of the Patriots. On paper, that feels like good news for Brian Flores' defense.

Former Vikings Ezra Cleveland and Esezi Otomewo are also among Jacksonville's inactives. Cleveland is their starting left guard, which means it'll be backup Blake Hance at that spot.

Kickoff is at 12 p.m. CT in Jacksonville.


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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.