The Minnesota Vikings have spent the first five weeks of their season trying to combat injuries. Various players have been in and out of the lineup, and the shuffle in the starting unit has been quite fascinating. Last year, the squad was way healthier, but the group still had some issues.
Last Year’s Out-of-Nowhere Vikings Linebacker Joins Raiders
Among those were the injured linebackers. Blake Cashman missed three contests (the previously 5-0 Vikings famously went 1-2 in that stretch). Later in the season, Brian Flores also had to replace Ivan Pace Jr.
The exciting blitzer suffered a hamstring injury and was placed on IR. Well, that opened the door for a free agent to come in and get some reps. That guy was former first-rounder Jamin Davis.
Davis signed, and just over a week later, he sacked ex-Vikings passer Kirk Cousins. Flores turned an unemployed player into a contributor within days. The defender was cut after four games. He managed to get signed by the New York Jets afterward, but failed to stick around there.
Now, Davis has found a new employer, the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders announced on their website this week, “Davis, a former first-round draft pick (19th overall) by the Washington Commanders in 2021, joins the Raiders practice squad after spending the 2025 offseason and training camp with the New York Jets.”
Las Vegas parted ways with veteran Germaine Pratt, and Davis is one of two newcomers to fill the void following the departure. Experienced reserve quarterback Jeff Driskel was axed to make room for Davis.
Davis, 26, was a 2021 first-rounder for the Washington Commanders after a productive career at the University of Kentucky. In his final college season, the linebacker recorded 102 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three interceptions.
When he then ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash, teams were intrigued. He hasn’t lived up to his potential. The Commanders released him last October after three-and-a-half seasons, and he signed with Green Bay’s practice squad until the Vikings called because they needed a blitzing linebacker to take Pace’s spot.
Davis played 21 defensive and 38 special teams snaps in his four games with the Vikings, registering five tackles and a sack. He didn’t remain with the purple team for the long run, however.
Earlier this season, when Cashman had to be placed on IR, the Vikings brought Davis back for a workout. Ultimately, the club decided against re-signing him.
With Cashman still out, the Vikings have Pace and veteran Eric Wilson in the starting lineup, backed up by rookies Austin Keys and Kobe King. Sione Takitaki is on the practice squad. The actual starter is eligible to return from his IR stint after the bye week when the Philadelphia Eagles come to town.
In his career, Davis has played in 54 games, starting 36. He has logged 287 tackles and eight sacks. He’s now an injury or two away from making his Raiders debut.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
