The Vikings' 53-man roster (for now)

THE FINAL 53 (FOR NOW)

STARTERS are capitalized. Rookies are in italics. F

Quarterbacks (3)

TARVARIS JACKSON, Kelly Holcomb, Brooks Bollinger

• Only question is who will be No. 2 in season opener.

Tailbacks (3)

CHESTER TAYLOR, Adrian Peterson, Mewelde Moore

• No reason to keep more than three when only two will play.

Fullbacks (3)

TONY RICHARDSON, Jeff Dugan, Naufahu Tahi

• Dugan can play TE; Tahi won job on special teams.

Wide receivers (5)

BOBBY WADE, TROY WILLIAMSON, Sidney Rice, Robert Ferguson, Aundrae Allison

• Team's weak link could use some reinforcements.

Tight ends (2)

VISANTHE SHIANCOE, Jim Kleinsasser

• Both players were quiet this preseason.

Offensive linemen (9)

BRYANT McKINNIE, STEVE HUTCHINSON, MATT BIRK, ARTIS HICKS, RYAN COOK, Anthony Herrera, Marcus Johnson, Brian Daniels, Chase Johnson

• Two rookies indicate waiver claims for veterans are in progress.

Defensive linemen (10)

KENECHI UDEZE, PAT WILLIAMS, KEVIN WILLIAMS, RAY EDWARDS, Spencer Johnson, Fred Evans, Jayme Mitchell, Brian Robison, Erasmus James, Darrion Scott

• High number compensates for Evans' possible NFL suspension.

Linebackers (6)

BEN LEBER, E.J. HENDERSON, CHAD GREENWAY, Dontarrious Thomas, Heath Farwell, Vinny Ciurciu

• Farwell and Ciurciu are team's top two special teams players.

Cornerbacks (5)

ANTOINE WINFIELD, CEDRIC GRIFFIN, Marcus McCauley, Charles Gordon, Ronyell Whitaker

• Whitaker is decent on special teams but still a surprise choice over Dovonte Edwards.

Safeties (4)

DARREN SHARPER, DWIGHT SMITH, Tank Williams, Mike Doss

• Two hobbled veterans, both limited on special teams, are backups.

Special teams (3)

Chris Kluwe (punter), Ryan Longwell (kicker), Cullen Loeffler (long snapper)

• No serious thought given to a kickoff specialist.

KEVIN SEIFERT