5 Battles to Watch in the Vikings Final Preseason Game
The Minnesota Vikings are 1-1 through two preseason games on home soil, with a win over the Houston Texans and a loss against the New England Patriots. Minnesota finishes its preseason activities with a trip to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans.
The Vikings’ preseason finale vs. the Titans will help settle battles at RB, WR, punt returner, and DL as players fight for 53-man roster spots.
The result of the game in Tennessee is of no great importance. What does matter is what individuals can do with their last big chance to stake a claim for their inclusion on the Vikings’ final 53-man roster. Most of the roster will already be locked in, but there are some areas where a place on the roster is still up for grabs. Here are five battles to watch in the Vikings’ final preseason game.
1. The Running Back Battle
Ty Chandler, Zavier Scott
The Vikings’ rushing attack will be led by Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, with CJ Ham as the fullback. The question is whether there is space for both Ty Chandler and Zavier Scott, or are they competing for one spot?
Scott, who has spent his first two years in the NFL on the practice squads of the Indianapolis Colts and, most recently, the Vikings, has yet to feature in a regular-season game but has impressed during this preseason. He has looked particularly dangerous on screen passes, a point of emphasis for improvement from Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Ty Chandler was the Vikings’ fifth-round pick in 2022. He showed promise in his second season, rushing for over 400 yards and three touchdowns. However, his career has stalled since, and he looks in danger of losing his place on the roster. In what is a head-to-head battle, it will be interesting to see what playing time each man gets and what they do with their time.
2. WR/Punt Returner Battle
Tai Felton, Silas Bolden, Lucky Jackson, Myles Price, Tim Jones, Jeshaun Jones, Thayer Thomas.
Injuries at the wide receiver position have proven to be a headache in Minnesota during the preseason. The Vikings are sweating on the fitness of Justin Jefferson and Jalen Nailor – though O’Connell always appears optimistic that both will be ready for the start of the regular season.
Add in Jordan Addison being suspended for the first three games, and the last thing that was needed was Rondale Moore suffering a season-ending injury. Not only opening a space on the depth chart at WR, but also leaving Minnesota looking for a new punt returner.
Suddenly, the Vikings are on the brink of looking dangerously thin on the ground – especially if there’s any delay in Jefferson or Nailor’s return to full fitness. Minnesota may look to bring in reinforcements, but the last preseason game will be about evaluating what’s currently in-house. Winning the punt return job will be one way to get on the roster.
So far in the preseason games, we have seen punts returned by Silas Bolden (one for eight yards) and Myles Price (two for 33 yards). Price also returned a kickoff for 81 yards, thrusting his name into consideration for a roster spot.
Third-round rookie Tai Felton will make the roster, but after him, it’s all to play for over the weekend. Lucky Jackson was an early frontrunner after an impressive training camp and first preseason game, but a poor display, including a couple of dropped catches against the Patriots, stopped that momentum. It was Tim and Jeshaun Jones who impressed, catching passes from Max Brosmer against New England. The Titans game is one last chance for the players to impress and try to claim a roster spot.
3. The Competition for Defensive Line Depth Places
Levi Drake Rodriguez, Jalen Redmond, Taki Taimani, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Jonathan Harris, Elijah Williams, Travis Bell.
Minnesota significantly bolstered the defensive line this season with the free agent additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Behind them, the battle to fill out the roster was an intriguing one. Jalen Redmond impressed last season, and along with starting nose tackle Harrison Phillips, that makes four roster spots taken. The one or two slots left are being fiercely competed over, culminating in one final chance in Tennessee.
Fifth-round draft pick Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is expected to make the roster, given the significant draft capital invested in him. His impressive preseason displays should secure him a spot. Levi Drake Rodriguez has been dealing with an ankle injury that may hinder his chances and open the door for an undrafted rookie.
Elijah Williams has had an excellent couple of preseason games, getting the Baldy’s Breakdown treatment from Brian Baldinger for his impressive displays so far. Taki Taimani has also played well, leaving this position possibly the hardest to call, and the Vikings will hope they can get the ones they do release through waivers and onto the practice squad.
4. The Competition for Outside Linebacker Depth
Gabriel Murphy, Bo Richter, Tyler Batty
After injury trouble last season, Gabriel Murphy has made great strides during this offseason and looks a very good bet to be the Vikings’ fourth outside linebacker – along with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner. The question is then whether Minnesota decides to keep a fifth on the roster and what that role will entail.
Bo Richter earned his stripes as a core special teamer last season, which could give him the edge. Tyler Batty, who makes it a trio of undrafted free agents vying for the depth places at OLB, has also impressed.
The Vikings’ ability to find undrafted OLBs capable of challenging for a roster place is elite. Whoever doesn’t make it on the roster will certainly be wanted for the practice squad.
5. The Battle for the Final Defensive Back Spot
Tavierre Thomas, Ambry Thomas, Khalef Hailassie,
Minnesota will likely want 10 defensive backs, and nine of those spots are pretty much sewn up. There’s a space for one more, and three names are seriously vying for it. Tavierre Thomas, a seven-season veteran with special teams experience, and Ambry Thomas, who has spent the last three seasons in San Francisco, also have ample special teams experience, appeared to be fighting out as a fairly safe option.
Kahlef Hailassie pushed himself forward with a double-interception game against the Texans. Hailassie showed promise in his rookie season two years ago with the Cleveland Browns, but was barely involved last term.
He has one more chance to push for a fresh start on the final roster. It’s another difficult one to call, and a big performance in Tennessee could tip the balance.
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