With training camp done and their three preseason games concluded, the Vikings have to cut their roster down to 53 players by 3 p.m. Tuesday. They trimmed down to 79 players Sunday, and there could be more moves coming between now and Tuesday afternoon (like a trade for a veteran wide receiver). But based on what we know at the moment, here is our final projection of who will make the roster.
Quarterback (3)
J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer
The Vikings changed their quarterback room Sunday morning, when they traded Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles, signed the 32-year-old Wentz following a Saturday tryout and released Brett Rypien. Wentz figures to be the backup behind McCarthy, while Brosmer appears to have played his way on to the team after a strong training camp and preseason. It seems unlikely the Vikings will try to slip him through waivers to the practice squad, so he will start the year on the active roster.
Running back (4)
Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott, C.J. Ham
Scott carried 22 times in the preseason and gained 96 yards, while Ty Chandler carried only eight times for 17 yards. Chandler didn’t play Friday night and Scott left with an ankle injury, so the Vikings could put Scott on injured reserve to start the year and keep Chandler if they don’t believe Scott is healthy enough for Week 1.
Wide receiver (5)
Justin Jefferson, Jalen Nailor, Lucky Jackson, Tai Felton, Myles Price
This group feels almost certain to change. The Vikings have been in trade talks for a veteran receiver (including with the Carolina Panthers on a deal for Adam Thielen) with Addison suspended for the first three games of the season. Nailor is “week-to-week” with a hand injury, coach Kevin O’Connell has said, and Felton has been dealing with a minor issue as well. Price makes the team as a return man, while both Felton and Jackson have worked there during the preseason. But with so many questions behind Jefferson, it’s not unreasonable to think at least one, and possibly two, of the receivers on the Vikings’ first 53-man roster are players who are currently on other teams.
