Cashman practices in limited role

VIKINGS REPORT

Linebacker has missed three games with toe injury

Blake Cashman walks the field before the Vikings’ game against the Lions on Oct. 20 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Cashman hasn’t played since injuring a toe during the Oct. 6 game against the Jets in London. BRUCE KLUCKHOHN — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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By Dane Mizutani

dmizutani@pioneerpress.com

It appears that linebacker Blake Cashman has a chance to make his return when the Vikings play the Jaguars on Sunday afternoon at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.

After missing the past three games with a toe injury, Cashman was spotted at practice on Wednesday afternoon at TCO Performance Center.

Asked for an update on his prognosis, head coach Kevin O’Connell said he expected Cashman to be listed as a limited participant.

“Hopefully we’ll pick up that workload as he goes,’ O’Connell said. “He’s absolutely dying to get back out there with the guys.”

Though it’s unclear when exactly Cashman will be ready to go, the fact that he is finally back on the field with his teammates is a step in the right direction. He hadn’t practiced in any capacity since suffering the injury during the Oct. 6 game against the New York Jets in London.

Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has served as the main communicator on defense in the absence of Cashman.

McQuaide brings experience

After placing veteran long snapper Andrew DePaola on injured reserve with a hand injury, the Vikings signed veteran long snapper Jake McQuaide as his replacement in the short term.

The experience McQuaide brings is among the biggest reasons the Vikings targeted him.

He has played 190 games across more than a decade in the NFL, spending time with the Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears.

It will be an almost completely new operation for the Vikings this week in the kicking game.T

They also signed veteran kicker John Parker Romo after placing rookie kicker Will Reichard on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury. The only holdover in the battery is punter Ryan Wright serving as the holder.

“You’re trying to remove any and all uncertainty,” O’Connell said. “I feel really confident in those guys coming in here and doing their job and helping us win.”

Murphy getting closer

There was a lot of optimism surrounding undrafted edge rusher Gabe Murphy during training camp. That was halted by a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve.

It appears that Murphy is getting closer to making his NFL debut.

After the Vikings officially opened the practice window for Murphy, they will now try to get him up to speed with hopes of activating him sooner rather than later. He could eventually add some depth to a group of edge rushers that has already succeeded at a high level.