Rondale Moore’s much-anticipated return to NFL action was cut short when the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver suffered a serious left knee injury in Saturday’s game against the Houston Texans. The setback came on his very first play after missing all of last season with a major right knee injury. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell called the moment “heartbreaking” and confirmed that Moore will undergo an MRI on Sunday.
Injury-Plagued Career Sees Another Setback in Vikings Debut Against Houston Texans
Since being drafted in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals in 2021, Moore’s career has been riddled with injuries. He missed nine games in 2022 due to various ailments and was sidelined for all of 2024 after a dislocated right knee during training camp with the Atlanta Falcons. This offseason, he signed a one-year deal with Minnesota in hopes of a fresh start.
Rondale Moore (NFL)Moore was set to serve as the Vikings’ punt returner and compete for the fourth receiver spot. On his first return, he was tackled near the sideline by Texans linebacker Jamal Hill after a short 2-yard gain. Hill’s tackle pulled Moore awkwardly over his left leg, and trainers quickly brought out a cart.
Emotions Run High as Coach Defends Player and Questions Tackle’s Legality
The 24-year-old’s frustration was clear; he slammed his hands on the cart so hard that the sound reverberated throughout the stadium. O’Connell said it’s painful as a coach to witness such moments, explaining that he tried to comfort Moore and reassure him that he would not face the recovery process alone.
In the aftermath, O’Connell questioned whether Hill’s tackle might qualify as an illegal hip-drop. While noting that the play appeared to share some traits of the banned maneuver, he acknowledged the complexity of making such a call in real time. He also emphasized that he saw no malicious intent from Hill, labeling the sequence simply as “very unfortunate.”
