Jamal Adams' comeback attempt with the Minnesota Vikings has ended before the regular season even began.
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The veteran safety will miss the entire 2026 season after suffering a torn right quadriceps tendon during Saturday's 13-10 NFL preseason win over the New York Giants, according to ESPN.
Minnesota placed Adams on injured reserve Monday.
It's a brutal development for the 30-year-old, whose career has already been interrupted repeatedly by injuries.
Adams went down early in the second quarter at MetLife Stadium while dropping into pass coverage. There didn't appear to be any contact on the play.
#Vikings defender Jamal Adams, who was carted off in yesterday’s preseason game, was diagnosed with a season-ending knee injury, source says. His season is over before it began. pic.twitter.com/BEOiYggDFR
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 16, 2026
He stumbled, fell to the turf and immediately grabbed his right leg before eventually being carted to the locker room. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell knew immediately that something might be seriously wrong.
"I'm crushed for him," O'Connell said after the game, adding that the Vikings were "going to miss him."
Further testing confirmed the torn quadriceps tendon.
Minnesota signed Adams shortly before training camp, giving the three-time Pro Bowler another opportunity after he spent last season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The former No. 6 overall pick had moved from safety to linebacker in Las Vegas, but the Vikings recently shifted him back to his original position. He had been receiving significant first-team snaps in Minnesota's three-safety packages.
Adams' recent injury history has been extensive. He appeared in only one game in 2022, nine in 2023 and five in 2024.
Then came an encouraging sign: Adams played all 17 games last season. Unfortunately, his fresh start in Minnesota lasted only a few weeks.
