Vikings WR Took Kirk Cousins’ Number

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He abdicated the No. 9 for his new quarterback and quickly grabbed the No. 8 from his old one.

Vikings WR Took Kirk Cousins’ Number

That’s Trishton Jackson, a Minnesota Vikings wide receiver entering year No. 3 with the team. The 26-year-old will vie for a roster spot this summer at training camp and in the preseason wearing Cousins’ No. 8.

viking wr
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Minnesota announced roster numbers for 45 new players this week, including assignments for veteran newcomers, drafted rookies, and undrafted youngsters. A handful of players, like Jackson, also switched numbers.

Jackson previously wore No. 9 in Minnesota, but with J.J. McCarthy on the way, who wore No. 9 at Michigan and could basically call his shot for jersey details, Jackson evidently conceded ownership. The No. 9 has been notably worn throughout Vikings’ history by Tommy Kramer and Jim McMahon.

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Jackson hasn’t quite caught on for a consistent roster spot through three seasons in the league. An undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, Jackson stayed on Los Angeles’ depth chart for about a year and a half before eventually landing with the Vikings in 2021. He’s impressed back-to-back Vikings coaching staffs and general managers.

However, Jackson played in seven Vikings games last year, grabbing two receptions for nine yards. He also caught a memorable two-point conversion at the Atlanta Falcons last year at the start of Joshua Dobbs Mania, putting him on the map for fans in a pressure-cooked situation.

Jackson caught 66 passes for 1,023 yards and 11 touchdowns in his final season at Syracuse five years ago.

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Overall, these players changed numbers:

  • Ivan Pace Jr.: No. 40 to No. 0
  • Brian Asamoah: No. 33 to No. 2
  • Trishton Jackson: No. 9 to No. 8
  • Ryan Wright: No. 14 to No. 17
  • Malik Knowles: No. 81 to No. 19
  • NaJee Thompson: No. 11 to No. 36
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And these are the numbers for newcomer free agents:

  • Shaq Griffin = No. 1
  • J.J. McCarthy = No. 9
  • Trent Sherfield = No. 11
  • Sam Darnold = No. 14
  • Dallas Turner = No. 15
  • A.J. Green III = No. 28
  • Khyree Jackson = No. 31
  • Aaron Jones = No. 33
  • Andrew Van Ginkel = No. 43
  • Will Reichard = No. 46
  • Seth Vernon = No. 49
  • Levin Drake Rodriguez = No. 50
  • Blake Cashman = No. 51
  • Jihad Ward = No. 52
  • Kamu Grugier-Hill = No. 54
  • Jonathan Greenard = No. 58
  • Michael Jurgens = No. 65
  • Dan Feeney = No. 69
  • Walter Rouse = No. 78
  • Jonah Williams = No. 92
  • John Parker Romo = No. 96
  • Jerry Tillery = No. 99

The “other” 1st-Round rookie, Dallas Turner, will wear No. 15, which belonged to the aforementioned Dobbs in 2023.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.