Copyright Star Tribune
Following the Vikings’ 28-22 loss to the Eagles on Sunday, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers wrote on social media that he received “some of the most racist comments I ever seen or read since I entered the league.” In screenshots shared on his Instagram account, Rodgers, who is Black, revealed an expletive-filled attack from a fan in which he was called a racial slur and compared to Hitler. Rodgers, the 27-year-old starter in his first season with the Vikings, wrote “racism is real” in a post Monday on his X account, adding, “That’s not even the worst I’ve seen.” He called on fans to “keep football, football.” The Vikings issued a statement Monday that read: “We are disgusted by the racial slurs directed at Isaiah Rodgers following yesterday’s game. As we have said previously, there simply is no room for racist words or actions in sports or society. We support Isaiah and all players who, unfortunately, experience this type of ignorant and prejudicial behavior far too often, and we ask our fans to continue to fight to eliminate racism.” Rodgers and the Vikings secondary played poorly in critical moments of Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, his former team. He appeared in 19 games during Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run last season. Rodgers was on the wrong end of a couple big plays, including the 79-yard touchdown by Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith. “I just got to make those plays,” Rodgers said afterward. “I came here for a reason and those type of plays I know I can make, so I put it on me.” Vikings players have talked about the boundaries they must set to avoid online strains on mental health, including after a 2023 trip to Philadelphia when former running back Alexander Mattison said he received over 60 “disgustingly disrespectful messages” that included racial slurs. Both quarterbacks Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy were listed as limited participants on Monday, when the Vikings issued an estimated injury report. The team is not scheduled to practice until Tuesday ahead of Thursday night’s game at the Los Angeles Chargers. Wentz played all 69 snaps through a left shoulder injury suffered Oct. 5 against the Browns. McCarthy has remained limited due to his Sept. 14 high ankle sprain since returning to practice last week. Right tackle Brian O’Neill (right knee) and fullback C.J. Ham (left hand) were estimated as not being able to practice. O’Neill, who played every snap against the Eagles, continues to manage the MCL sprain sustained Sept. 28 in Dublin. Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (neck) and running back Zavier Scott (wrist) were also limited. Guard Donovan Jackson (wrist) and defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (hip) were estimated as full participants. Van Ginkel and Ingram-Dawkins did not play against the Eagles. In the Chargers’ estimated injury report, left tackle Joe Alt, who has missed the last three games due to a high ankle sprain, was listed as limited. Alt, a 2024 first-round pick, went to Totino-Grace High School in Fridley. Sign up for the free Access Vikings newsletter to get exclusive analysis in your inbox every Friday. Subscribe to the Access Vikings podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. Anthony Souffle/The Minnesota Star Tribune The question of when J.J. McCarthy will return is still applicable in the short term. But in the long term, it is clearly his job when he’s healthy.
