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Vikings’ wide receiver Rondale Moore showed off his injury rehab progress in his final Instagram post before his death
The Minnesota Vikings were dealt some crushing news late on Saturday night, as wide receiver Rondale Moore died at the age of 25. According to reports, the suspected cause of Moore’s death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, which makes the news of his passing even more devastating for the Vikings and the rest of the NFL community.
After a promising start to his career with the Arizona Cardinals, Moore missed the past two seasons due to a pair of season-ending knee injuries. In his final Instagram post before his untimely passing, though, it appeared as if Moore was making serious progress toward getting himself healthy ahead of the upcoming 2026 campaign.
Rondale Moore Showed Off Injury Rehab Progress in Final Instagram Post
The Cardinals selected Moore in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he showcased his potential frequently early in his career. Despite being undersized for a wide receiver at just 5’7, Moore was a speedster who could rip off a big play any time he had the football in his hands. In three seasons with Arizona, Moore caught 135 passes for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 249 yards and another score.
After the 2023 campaign, Moore was traded to the Atlanta Falcons. He ultimately never suited up for the time, though, as he suffered a season-ending knee injury during training camp. Moore worked on getting himself healthy, and he ended up signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the Vikings in free agency last offseason.
Once again, though, Moore didn’t play for his new team, as he suffered another season-ending injury during the team’s preseason action. That led to a lengthy rehab process again, but it appeared as if Moore was making good progress in his quest to return to the field. In fact, in his final Instagram post (as seen above), Moore shared some photos showcasing his progress from his injury rehab.
Rondale Moore’s Death Leaves the NFL Community in Shock
GettyVikings’ wide receiver Rondale Moore showed off his injury rehab progress in his final Instagram post before his death
Anytime a current NFL player dies, it’s a tragedy, but the circumstances surrounding Moore’s death make the situation tougher to stomach. Folks around the league have begun offering their condolences, and it’s clear that it will take some time for everyone to come to terms with Moore’s passing. This is the second time in the past few months a current player has died by an apparent suicide, as Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland passed away in November.
Considering how he was set for free agency, there’s no guarantee that Moore would have returned to the Vikings. And yet, his impact on the franchise was immediately clear in the wake of his death, as the NFL community has quickly rallied to support his family and friends. Minnesota will eventually have to turn its focus to its offseason work, but for the time being, all that will be put on the back burner as everyone mourns the passing of the talented Moore.
Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is a Breaking News Writer at Heavy. In addition to writing for Heavy, Owen works as a Content Producer for More Views Media. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli
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