Minnesota Vikings rookie safety Lewis Cine had to be carted off the field during the team’s Week 4 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Against the New Orleans Saints in London, England on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings were able to come away with a win. However, the Vikings likely lost the services of rookie safety Lewis Cine for the remainder of the season after he suffered a gruesome injury during the first half of the matchup.
Cine was injured while trying to block as a member of Minnesota’s punt return team. While attempting to block a Saints player, the Vikings rookie went airborne for a brief moment, and when he landed back on the turf, his left ankle basically collapsed.
According to Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell on Sunday, Cine suffered a “significant fractured ankle” against New Orleans.
Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine to undergo surgery in London
Given the severity of Cine’s injury, O’Connell revealed on Sunday that the Vikings rookie is going to undergo surgery in London first before returning to Minnesota.
"“From everything I’ve been told, the care, the local folks here have been phenomenal with [Cine]. But he will be having surgery to fix [his injury] here. We feel very strongly about, obviously, not only the local doctors but our medical team that will stay back with Lew.We’ll get that fixed up for him, and as soon as he’s able to make the transition back to the Twin Cities, we’ll do that.”"
The injury is already brutal enough on its own. But the fact that Cine’s rookie season is likely over after just four games has to just be devastating for the young safety.
Football is an incredibly violent sport, and unfortunately, injuries like the one Cine suffered on Sunday are not uncommon. His injury could potentially be career-altering, but hopefully, the Minnesota rookie is able to fully recover and resume his career in the NFL.