EAGAN, Minn. — The disbelief and pain have worn off.
The eagerness to return is as strong as ever for cornerback Mekhi Blackmon.
The 2023 third-round pick from USC opened his second NFL training camp with excitement and optimism — and a torn ACL. The injury occurred unceremoniously during the Vikings first practice of July.
"Really, I just couldn't believe it. I didn't think it was real. I didn't really think I was injured at all," Blackmon said last week as Vikings players cleared out their lockers at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. "Just thought I got banged up a little. So when I got the news, I was real bummed. But everything happens for a reason. God makes no mistakes, so I'm just kind of waiting for my turn, and it's coming soon."
Blackmon played 435 defensive snaps and two on special teams as a rookie. He recorded 41 tackles, three tackles for loss, eight passes defensed, an interception and a fumble recovery over the course of 15 games (three starts).
The interception occurred in Minnesota's 27-19 win over New Orleans, and the fumble recovery (after it was forced by Joshua Metellus) gave the Vikings the ball at their own 16 in the third quarter of an eventual 3-0 win at the Raiders.
He looked forward to growing in his second year in Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores' defensive system. Instead of doing so in practices and games, Blackmon focused on mental growth and the opportunity to learn from veterans like Byron Murphy, Jr., Shaq Griffin, Stephon Gilmore and Fabian Moreau.
"You're kind of watching and on the outside looking in. I hope a lot of these guys come back. I had relationships with them, even before I got hurt," Blackmon said. "A lot of these guys have been saying they wish they could play with me this year, as well."
The Vikings added Moreau within a week of Blackmon's injury and then signed Gilmore in mid-August (Griffin had joined Minnesota in March).
Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah mentioned the effects that Griffin and Gilmore had on younger cornerbacks during his end-of-season press conference.
"Those were great ones (signings) because it wasn't just about the player, but it was also about who the young guys in that room get to learn from," Adofo-Mensah said. "Now a Mehki Blackmon, and then Dwight McGlothern get to learn from you talking about consummate professionals in a scheme that requires a pretty high intellect. It's so great when I get to be on the sideline and listen to those guys. And the classroom isn't just between coaches and players. It's players to players."
This is the first time Blackmon has ever had to work his way back from a severe injury. He said he's stayed positive while rehabbing and has "been running for 'a minute.' "
"I haven't went into a dark space or anything. These guys around the locker room have done a real good job with keeping me around and keeping me energized, as far as watching them and stuff," Blackmon said. "It's been a real exciting year just to watch. I wish I could have played."
