Minnesota Vikings wide receiver and return specialist Rondale Moore will miss his second straight season with a knee injury, the team confirmed on Tuesday.

Moore sustained the injury while returning a punt in the second quarter of Saturday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans. He was carted off the field after being tackled along the sideline.

It was nearly a year to the day since Moore, then with the Atlanta Falcons, was carted off the practice field with a right knee injury that required surgery and forced him to miss the entire 2024 season.

“It’s one of the most painful things for me as a head coach when I feel that emotion,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said after the game. “I make a life out of trying to leave others better than I found them. In that situation, there is nothing I can do, which is the worst feeling as a coach. So you just consult with him and make sure that he knows he’s not going to be alone.”

A 2021 second-round pick by Arizona, Moore looked to revive his career with Minnesota. In 39 career games (23 starts), all with the Cardinals, Moore has recorded 135 catches for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns.

The Vikings’ unofficial depth chart listed Moore as a backup receiver and the starting punt returner heading into Saturday’s game.

Minnesota placed Moore on injured reserve Tuesday. The Vikings also waived linebacker Brian Asamoah II and center Zeke Correll, the latter with an injury designation after breaking his ankle Saturday against Houston.

–Field Level Media