### Minnesota Vikings Safety Josh Metellus to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery Following Injury - Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus has been placed on injured reserve, effectively ending his 2025 season due to a shoulder injury that has plagued him for the past three weeks. - Metellus, who signed a three-year, $36 million contract extension prior to the season, recorded 86 tackles, two interceptions, and six passes defensed in 14 games this year. - This marks the first time in his six-year NFL career that Metellus will miss games due to injury, having previously only missed time while on the COVID-19 reserve list in 2021. - He joins outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard on injured reserve, leaving the Vikings without two key defensive starters for the remainder of the season [https://apnews.com/article/vikings-metellus-shoulder-surgery-02619160ecd374a3fda526729a0a10d6][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vikings-josh-metellus-season-ending-183608401.html][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vikings-place-lb-jonathan-greenard-213359493.html]. ### Overview of the Situation and Implications for the Vikings 1. **Injury Details**: - Metellus has been dealing with a shoulder injury that has worsened, necessitating surgery and placement on injured reserve [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/vikings_s_josh_metellus_to_undergo_season_ending_shoulder_surgery/s1_14819_43217881]. 2. **Performance Metrics**: - In 2025, Metellus achieved a career-high in tackles (86) and contributed significantly to the defense with two interceptions and six passes defensed [https://www.dailynorseman.com/minnesota-vikings-2025-season/93835/josh-metellus-miss-remainder-of-season-minnesota-vikings]. 3. **Team Impact**: - The Vikings will now be without two starters on defense, which could significantly affect their performance in the final three games of the season [https://www.inforum.com/sports/pro/vikings-star-safety-josh-metellus-out-for-the-season]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Josh Metellus' Season Stats**: - **Tackles**: 86 - **Interceptions**: 2 - **Passes Defensed**: 6 - **Games Played**: 14 - **Snap Share**: 96.5% (second among Vikings defenders) [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/vikings_s_josh_metellus_to_undergo_season_ending_shoulder_surgery/s1_14819_43217881]. - **Injury Context**: - Metellus has not missed a game due to injury in his previous six seasons, highlighting the severity of this situation [https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-vikings-placing-josh-metellus-on-ir]. ### Conclusion and Future Outlook - **Key Findings**: 1. Josh Metellus will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, marking a significant loss for the Vikings' defense. 2. His absence, along with that of Jonathan Greenard, leaves the Vikings vulnerable in their final games of the season. 3. Metellus had a strong season statistically, but his injury will impact the team's defensive strategy moving forward. - The Vikings will need to adapt quickly to fill the gaps left by these injuries as they approach the end of the season, with their playoff hopes potentially hanging in the balance [https://thevikingage.com/minnesota-vikings-place-versatile-defensive-back-injured-reserve-ending-his-season].