Vikings WR Rondale Moore suffers another knee injury in preseason opener

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore’s return to the field was cut painfully short on Saturday, as he suffered what head coach Kevin O’Connell described as a “pretty significant” injury to his left knee during the preseason matchup against the Houston Texans.

The setback came on Moore’s very first play after a long recovery from a major injury to his right knee last season. The 24-year-old had signed a one-year deal with the Vikings in the offseason, expected to contribute as a punt returner and potentially the team’s fourth wide receiver.

Moore’s misfortune struck on a punt return when Texans linebacker Jamal Hill tackled him near the sideline after a 2-yard gain. In the process, Hill appeared to pull Moore awkwardly over his planted left leg. Athletic trainers rushed to his aid, and moments later, a cart was brought out. Visibly frustrated, Moore slammed his hands on the back of the cart so hard the sound echoed through the stadium.

“It’s heartbreaking,” O’Connell said after the game. “One of the worst feelings as a coach is seeing a player in that much pain and knowing there’s nothing you can do in that moment. All you can do is make sure they know they’re not alone.”

While no official diagnosis has been given, Moore is scheduled for an MRI on Sunday. O’Connell also spoke to referee Brad Allen’s crew about whether the hit resembled a banned hip-drop tackle, noting that the play had “a lot of the characteristics” but stopping short of calling it intentional or illegal.

Moore’s career has been plagued by injuries since the Arizona Cardinals drafted him in the second round in 2021. He missed nine games in 2022 due to multiple ailments, then sat out the entire 2024 season after dislocating his right knee during training camp with the Atlanta Falcons. This latest setback marks yet another chapter in his ongoing struggle to stay on the field.

Rondale Moore: A Talented Receiver Battling to Stay in the Game

For Rondale Moore, football has always been about explosive plays, speed that leaves defenders grasping at air, and the kind of competitive fire that turns routine catches into highlight reels. But in the NFL, even the most electric talents can find themselves fighting an entirely different battle—the one against injuries.

Born in New Albany, Indiana, in 2000, Moore made his name as a standout at Purdue University, where his freshman season in 2018 was nothing short of spectacular. He racked up over 1,200 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns, and earned the Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in college football. His agility, quick burst, and ability to turn short passes into big gains made him a nightmare for defenses and a dream for offensive coordinators.

The Arizona Cardinals saw his potential and selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Moore flashed brilliance as a rookie, quickly becoming a dynamic weapon in the slot and on special teams. But injuries soon began to shadow his career. In 2022, he missed nine games due to multiple ailments. In 2024, his season ended before it began when he suffered a dislocated right knee during training camp with the Atlanta Falcons, forcing him to watch from the sidelines for the entire year.

This offseason, the Minnesota Vikings offered him a fresh start with a one-year deal. Moore’s speed and elusiveness made him a prime candidate for punt return duties and a key depth option at wide receiver. But on August 9, 2025, in his very first play of the preseason against the Houston Texans, disaster struck again. While returning a punt, he was tackled awkwardly by linebacker Jamal Hill, suffering a significant injury to his left knee. The frustration was visible as Moore slammed his hands on the back of the cart taking him off the field—a sound that echoed through the stadium.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell described the moment as “heartbreaking,” reflecting on the emotional toll such setbacks take on a player who has worked so hard to get back. While an MRI will determine the severity, the incident underscores the cruel unpredictability of professional football.

For Moore, the story is far from over. His talent is unquestioned, his work ethic proven. But the challenge ahead will be about resilience—recovering yet again, pushing past frustration, and fighting to reclaim the explosive form that first made him one of the most exciting young receivers in the game.

If he can overcome the latest obstacle, Rondale Moore still has the tools to remind fans why his name once lit up highlight reels. In the NFL, careers can turn on a single play. For Moore, the hope is that the next defining moment will be a comeback, not another setback.