Sports

Updated Minnesota Vikings Roster Projection After Preseason Week 2, Including Practice Squad Candidates

Nairavoice · Aug 24, 2026 · 12 min read

Named general manager on June 1, Nolan Teasley still hasn’t made a big imprint on the Minnesota Vikings‘ roster. Soon enough, the head honcho will get his chance. Right now, the Vikings have 91 players on the roster.

Once the clock hits 5 p.m. CT on Aug. 30, all teams must cut their rosters to 53 players. While making these decisions, teams also try to keep in mind who they want on their 16-man practice squads. While I took a crack at it after the opener, now that they have played two preseason games, it’s time for an updated look at the Vikings roster projection for 2026. In addition to projecting the full 53-man roster, a decision was made to go to the next level and predict the Vikings practice squad candidates too.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass during a preseason opening game between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Credit: USA TodayCredit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Not much has changed since last week, but there has been a shift on the depth chart. If anything, McCarthy has taken a step back while Wentz has taken a step ahead. If the season started tomorrow, Wentz should be the QB2 in Minnesota, because he’s more prepared to lead a high-scoring offense. That doesn’t mean McCarthy can’t still develop into a better player in the long run, but the 23-year-old just hasn’t found the consistency yet. The 25-year-old Brosmer remains a prime practice squad QB, giving the Vikings an arm who is entering year two in their system and has some developmental qualities the coaching staff likes.

Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) hands off to running back Jordan Mason (27) during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Nothing has changed since last week. The Vikings have their best backfield of the Kevin O’Connell era, and they’re rightfully excited about Mason’s growth as he heads into his second season with the team. But there’s a new contender emerging with Claiborne. While the rookie may not hold up as well in pass protection right away, the coaching staff will surely find a way to get their fastest running back the ball this year. Bredeson is like a human chess piece that moves all over the board. His development will be a fun one to monitor as well. Scott had a stronger performance with the ball in his hands on Saturday, but there are still some questions about his blocking. The Vikings love what he brings as a pass-catcher, but it’s not hard to wonder whether there’s someone on another team that Teasley may have his eye on rather than a 27-year-old who’s entering his fourth season.

Aaron Jones Jr.
Jordan Mason
Demond Claiborne
Max Bredeson (Fullback)
Practice Squad: Zavier Scott

Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesCredit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

From top to bottom, 1-5, the Vikings just might have the best receiving corps in the NFL. Tai Felton and Myles Price have taken serious leaps in their development to the point where it’s not unreasonable to think both could produce touchdown catches at some point throughout the season. The question is whether the Vikings will try to sneak a sixth receiver on the roster. If so, undrafted rookie Dillon Bell has made a pretty decent case, being that he’s shown to be a capable returner and a bit of a weapon with the ball in his hands as the Vikings incorporate him on end-arounds too. Bell would surely be a candidate for the practice squad, but another team may like the potential that the 22-year-old offers. Fleming has been a bit inconsistent, but he’s just 24, so the team may want to work with him a bit more to see if he can continue refining his game as a receiver while sharpening his return skills. Jeshaun Jones and/or Trayvon Rudolph could stick around on the practice squad, but with so many other receivers being cut loose, this is another spot where an outsider could find a home on Minnesota’s practice squad.

Justin Jefferson
Jordan Addison
Jauan Jennings
Tai Felton
Myles Price
Practice Squad: Dillon Bell and Dontae Fleming

Practice Squad: Dillon Bell and Dontae Fleming

Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) reacts with tight end Josh Oliver (84) and guard Dalton Risner (66) after a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY SportsCredit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The question here is what will the Vikings prefer in their third tight end? If it’s blocking, Ben Yurosek may have the edge. Yet, the Vikings may view Bartholomew’s upside as too tantalizing to cut loose. For now, Yurosek seems like a prime candidate for the practice squad unless the Vikings surprisingly lean into keeping four on the roster. Meanwhile, it’s also not hard to see a scenario where Bryson Nesbit and/or Marshall Lang land back on the practice squad too.

T.J. Hockenson
Josh Oliver
Gavin Bartholomew
Practice Squad: Ben Yurosek and Marshall Lang

Practice Squad: Ben Yurosek and Marshall Lang

Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Darrisaw and O’Neill pair up for one of the best bookend tandems in the NFL. The Vikings are now more confident in their depth after signing Van Demark to be their swing tackle too. Tiernan missed this past week due to injury, but he looked raw in the opener. It’s okay, because he’ll likely be a weekly scratch on game day this season. Meanwhile, the Vikings prioritized Leigh as an undrafted rookie free agent signing, so he’s a strong candidate for the practice squad.

Christian Darrisaw
Brian O’Neill
Ryan Van Demark
Caleb Tiernan
Practice Squad: Tristan Leigh

Jul 29, 2025; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson (74) and Minnesota Vikings guard Will Fries (76) take part in drills during the team’s training camp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Vikings have to feel confident in their starting guards, especially considering Jackson, a 2025 first-round pick, will only continue to improve. Yet, they may want to look outside the organization to find a fourth or even fifth guard for organizational depth (practice squad included). Rouse is a convert from tackle, but he faces an easier path to getting an opportunity as a guard. The Vikings just signed Joshua Gray, an indication that the coaching staff wasn’t happy with the current players on hand. Ultimately, the guess is that the Vikings sign a guard from another team for their practice squad, but for now, the job goes to Vershon Lee almost by default. Though one could build a strong case that Lee, along with Henry Byrd, made too many mistakes to move forward, if there’s one the Vikings may want to work more with, it could be the 24-year-old Lee who’s entering his second season and like Byrd has worked at multiple positions along the line.

Practice Squad: Walter Rouse and Vershon Lee

Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) and guard Blake Brandel (64) practice during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Brandel is suddenly working through some yips with snapping the football, but the Vikings are confident in their 29-year-old starter who’s entering his sixth season. There’s a bundle of competition behind him, where the top job will likely go to Jurgens after making three starts and appearing in 15 games last season. Meanwhile, developing a potential long-term starter, whether it’s at center or guard, should be in mind here. That’s why I have the Vikings keeping Gerhardt, their seventh-round rookie, on the roster while stashing Lemieux, an undrafted rookie, on the practice squad.

Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (61) during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The question here is who will all end up starting in three-man fronts. Obviously Redmond is locked in. Are LDR and Ingram-Dawkins ready for starting roles? The former started just two games last season, but now heads into his third year. Meanwhile, TID is heading into his second season and started one game as a rookie. While both have more experience than Banks and Big Citrus, it’s likely only a matter of time before both rookies are thrust into the starting lineup; the question is when it will happen. Plus, Williams is excelling and looks to have taken a significant second-year leap after going undrafted a season ago. The Vikings could look outside the organization for their practice squad candidate, but coach Brian Flores has liked keeping a versatile lanky veteran around, so perhaps there’s some preference to the 6-foot-7 Loudermilk after coaching him in Pittsburgh back in 2022.

Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) reacts after sacking New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Everyone keeps saying how Turner looks like he’s in for a breakout year, which is exciting considering he already had eight sacks last season. Coach Flores likes to move players all around the field, so some edge snaps could be given to Ingram-Dawkins, Golday, or Batty. Yet, there’s still a chance the Vikings find their third pass-rusher from another team. However, the longer they go without signing a veteran, the more those odds seem to dwindle as more players land contracts elsewhere. If the Vikings don’t sign anyone, it just means they’re still optimistic in the long-term development of the players they have on hand, which is never a bad thing, as long as the coaching staff is proven right. UFL signee Kenny Dyson Jr. showed off an impressive move before recording a sack on Saturday too, but he may be too low on the totem pole to find a practice squad spot in Minnesota. He could find a job elsewhere though.

Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Andrew van Ginkel (43) reacts with linebacker Eric Wilson (55) and linebacker Blake Cashman (51) after a sack against the New York Giants during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As great as coach Flores’s Vikings’ defenses have been, this is his deepest linebacker corps yet, and that’s even after Jamal Adams suffered a season-ending injury. Even Pace is showing signs of improvement, which is a very positive sign for his long-term future as a potential three-down starter. For now, he’s a high-level backup who can create chaos on occasion as a blitzer. Meanwhile, CFL signee Jacob Roberts continues to shine and likely has earned a roster spot at this point. Kamara could be a practice squad candidate, but someone from outside the organization could steal his spot too.

Blake Cashman
Eric Wilson
Ivan Pace Jr.
Jacob Roberts
Practice Squad: Bangally Kamara

Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) celebrates after a play against the Detroit Lions in the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After getting a bit grabby and missing a tackle on Saturday, Demmings may have shown that the more veteran Pierre has locked down the nickel job, as expected. Still, the fact that a fifth-round rookie is even getting first-team reps is something to behold. The Vikings may have also found another undrafted rookie defensive back who can contribute at least on special teams in his first season with Armstead, who also has seen some reps with the starters in practice. At 6-foot-1, Armstead fits the mold of bigger corners that coach Flores seems to covet too. While there’s always the chance of another outside addition to the practice squad, the Vikings may stick with who they know in the 6-foot-3 Vaughn, who’s just 24 and entering his second season of play. Notably absent here is Dwight McGlothern, who may have simply been outplayed by his peers. Knowing they’ll be keeping a couple of extra safeties, it’s hard to envision the Vikings keeping seven corners in the organization, as coach Flores places a high value on versatility.

Minnesota Vikings safety Joshua Metellus (44) warms up ahead of the Minnesota Vikings game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Credit: USA TodayCredit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

While the Vikings haven’t announced anything, the presumption is that Ward will be the starter next to Metellus, though the Vikings have to be in love with their depth. Everyone, aside from maybe Jackson, has continued to generate praise in practice and with their preseason performances. The undrafted rookie, Jacob Thomas, has been coming on the most strongly as of late, but that’s also because he’s seen a lot of playing time. The Vikings may value Tavierre Thomas‘s ability on special teams over Hailassie, but perhaps they’ll be relying on others for their special teams depth this season.

Joshua Metellus
Jay Ward
Jakobe Thomas
Theo Jackson
Jacob Thomas
Practice Squad: Kahlef Hailassie

Nov 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Will Reichard (16) kicks a field goal against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

How much of a competition is there at punter? Through two games, Thorson has punted five times for 224 yards, an average of 44.8 yards per boot. Three of those five pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line, and his longest punt went for 50 yards. Hekker has punted six times for 278 yards, an average of 46.3 yards per boot. Three of those six pinned opponents inside their own 20, and his longest punt went for 65 yards. Meanwhile, Thorson didn’t hold on extra points and field goals in college, whereas Hekker is entering his 15th season of doing so at the NFL level. However, since Thorson is an Aussie, he’s the perfect candidate to stash on the practice squad, where his spot won’t count against the team. If the Vikings feel they need to make a change at punter later on in the season, they can turn to the rookie Thorson.