The Vikings Sent One Player Back to the Drawing Board
It didn’t quite come to fruition for Lucky Jackson.
The Vikings sent Lucky Jackson back to the drawing board after roster cuts, closing the door on his opportunity as Minnesota trims down before Week 1.
After a productive training camp and a couple of games in the preseason, the Minnesota Vikings’ unsung wide receiver did not make the 53-man roster.
It’s back to the drawing board for Jackson.
A Vikings Roster Dream Ends for Lucky Jackson before Week 1
Jackson will now cross his fingers for a practice squad assignment, a familiar ordeal.
The Roster Dream Ends for Lucky Jackson. For Now.
Minnesota released its 53-man roster on Tuesday, and Jackson did not make the cut.
The 28-year-old has never caught a regular season pass, instead turning heads in preseason games and at training camps throughout his career. He originally arrived in Minnesota from the XFL, a standout in that league.
Jackson also benefits from a sweet first name — a nickname — that is obviously easier for fans to latch onto and remember.
Summer Momentum Didn’t Translate
Most onlookers expected all summer for Jordan Addison to be suspended to start the season. Then, the league stepped up to the plate and confirmed that suspicion, mandating that the 23-year-old sit on the shelf for the first three games of 2025 due to a DUI-adjacent crime in California. From that moment, the need for a productive wideout increased.
At camp and in the preseason, Jackson nibbled at the would-be WR4 job. He looked great. He developed rapport with Minnesota’s quarterbacks and has always had 4.36 speed in his toolkit.
Along the way, Rondale Moore blew out his knee in the preseason, ending his 2025 campaign. Therefore, Jackson’s trajectory hit new heights.
All of those theories and forecasts died when Minnesota revealed the regular season roster this week — without Jackson’s name on the document.
The Vikings’ WRs without Jackson
Here’s the Vikings’ WR room sans Jackson and Addison to start the season:
- Justin Jefferson
- Adam Thielen
- Jalen Nailor
- Tai Felton
- Tim Jones
- Myles Price
Most believed Jackson would nestle in right under Nailor or Felton. No cigar. Instead, veteran Tim Jones — a special teams asset — and undrafted free-agent rookie Myles Price got the nod.
Practice Squad Fate
The Vikings will soon announce a practice squad, and all signs point to Jackson on that roster branch. Jackson is ultra-accustomed to the PS, so he’ll feel right at home.
It’s just that he reasonably could’ve expected an active roster spot as recently as a week or so ago. But the NFL moves fast, and yet again, Jackson must fight and claw for a regular season appearance.
More on Jackson
Our own Ted Schwerzler weighed in on Jackson’s roster cut this week.
He explained, “Many roster moves are straightforward. Training camp bodies are brought in to compete during the preseason, but there is no real path to a roster spot. Not all of the moves work that way though, and sometimes players earn a surprising spot. When you have just five wide receivers make a roster, and only two of them are worthy of a starting role, it’s worth scrutinizing the position.”
“Lucky Jackson wasn’t a surprise cut if you watched him fumble away the opportunity during the preseason. He was a surprise cut because a roster spot was his for the taking and he flopped. Instead of Jackson, the Vikings will roll with undrafted free agent Myles Price, and uninspiring veteran Tim Jones.”
Make no mistake, three weeks ago, Jackson’s spot on the regular season roster felt safe-safe.
Schwerzler added, “Price has utility as a returner and showed some nice chemistry with third string quarterback Max Brosmer. Jones played all 17 games each of the past three seasons for the Jaguars, but he has just 17 receptions to his credit. Jackson could have been in line to push Jalen Nailor for reps at some point this season.”
“Instead his untimely drops and uninspiring play left him on the unemployment line. The Minnesota Vikings kick off their season on September 8 against the Chicago Bears. These surprise cuts will be looking to land deals elsewhere before then.”
Jackson will now bide his time for his next opportunity. He was oh-so-close in the summer of 2025.
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