Jamal Adams injury updates: Latest news on Vikings defender carted to locker room in preseason vs. Giants originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Once considered one of the NFL's premier safeties, Jamal Adams' football career has taken a turn in recent years, becoming more of a journeyman who has taken on various roles. The Jets' 2017 No. 6 overall pick was a three-time All-Pro over his time in New York and Seattle. However, Adams has now been a member of four teams in three years, most recently agreeing to a deal with the Minnesota Vikings this past offseason. On Saturday, Adams had an opportunity to prove himself as a potential contributor to Kevin O'Connell's 2026 defense in a preseason game against the Giants. Instead, he would be carted off the field with an injury that appears significant in nature. Here's what's known about Adams' injury status after leaving the Vikings' preseason matchup. MORE:Why the Vikings named Kyler Murray QB1 before preseason Jamal Adams injury updates It may only be preseason, but considering Adams' former status as one of the NFL's best defenders, the Vikings saw some encouraging signs early in Saturday's preseason game. On one play, he sprinted through the middle to blow up a handoff in the backfield.
Jamal Adams, right through the gap. Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/3UsROvG1l4 — NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2026 The optimism for Adams did not last long. In the early second quarter, he was seen falling to the ground while sprinting to his right in coverage. After hitting the ground, Adams grabbed at his right knee.
Non-contact injury for Jamal Adams (32) on NYG’s cement turf. Brutal. He was going to contribute heavily to this defense. pic.twitter.com/fE0fcxSJF1 — Thor Nystrom (@thorku) August 15, 2026 The cart came out to help him head back to the locker room after he spent "a long time" in the medical tent, per Ben Goessling. Details of Adams' injury have not yet been provided by the Vikings, but based on O'Connell's halftime comments, the safety — who signed a one-year deal before training camp — may not return any time soon. "In just a short amount of time, Jamal has done such an unbelievable job. ... You're just crushed for him, the role he was kind of paving for himself and just having a personality, experience, toughness that he brought in such a short amount of time," O'Connell said. "We're going to miss him and we're going to need to see some guys here step up. But what I told Jamal is our organization, we've got our arms around him. And he's a part of this thing. But you absolutely hate to see that."
"You're just crushed for him, the role he was kind of paving for himself and just having a personality, experience, toughness that he brought in such a short amount of time. We're going to miss him." - Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on Jamal Adams pic.twitter.com/mhaOEov4qo — Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 15, 2026 MORE: A compilation of the best Jayden Daniels No. 5 memes What happened to Jamal Adams? Adams was seen grabbing at his right knee after falling to the ground on a non-contact play in Saturday's preseason game between the Vikings and Giants. After getting attention in the medical tent, he was carted back to the locker room, with his official injury status still unknown. MORE: How Devon Witherspoon's Seahawks extension made NFL history How old is Jamal Adams? Adams is 30 years old. The former first-round pick was a three-time Pro Bowl selection between the Jets and Seahawks from 2018-20, one of the NFL's top safeties, but he's struggled to produce in the years since. Last season, Adams played linebacker for the Raiders, a position he has also contributed to for the Vikings so far in training camp.