The Big Storylines That Will Shape the Vikings Preseason Opener
It’s time, alas. The Minnesota Vikings will get their allotment of preseason games cooking this weekend, hosting the Houston Texans in Minneapolis.
Explore six key storylines to watch in the Vikings’ preseason opener, from roster battles to breakout candidates. See which players and matchups could set the tone.
Most will tune in to get a glimpse of J.J. McCarthy, who has fully healed from a torn meniscus that ruined his rookie season.
But other storylines exist, and these are those ranked from least to most important.
Vikings Preseason Game: Storylines
All the stuff to watch for the Vikings on Saturday
TE3: How Does Ben Yurosek Play?
Minnesota drafted Pittsburgh’s Gavin Bartholomew in Round 6 four months ago, and he’s on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
That tentatively paves the way for Yurosek, an undrafted rookie free agent, to steal the TE3 job. But Yurosek must earn it.
The preseason will be the real forum for Yurosek to strut his stuff. He has everything to gain, mainly the TE3 title.
Which WRs Stand Off the Page?
Jordan Addison will miss three games due to a suspension to start the season. Minnesota will need an unsung wideout or two to step up. It’s damn near required. After Justin Jefferson, Jalen Nailor, and Addison on the depth chart, these are the WRs to monitor against the Texans:
- Lucky Jackson
- Tai Felton
- Rondale Moore
- Tim Jones
- Dontae Fleming
- Jeshaun Jones
- Myles Price
- Thayer Thomas
- Robert Lewis
- Silas Bolden
Will Reichard’s Accuracy
Reichard’s time in Minnesota can be described in three parts:
- Reichard kicked perfectly for a month and a half of the regular season as a rookie.
- Reichard injured his quad in October 2024, and turned into an average-to-poor kicker after.
- Reichard has performed mostly well at training camp.
So, what will the preseason bring? Vikings fans are begging for sustainable kicker stability.
Zone Coverage‘s Tyler Ireland noted on Reichard this week, “Kevin O’Connell, Matt Daniels, and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah must avoid the mindset of their predecessors and that held by much of the fan base. To maximize their return on investment in Will Reichard, Minnesota’s brass must prioritize his development and remain patient, even during times of adversity.”
“If they create an environment where Reichard isn’t afraid of failure, his confidence will blossom again, knowing that the team has his back regardless of the outcome.”
Who Doesn’t Play?
Much can be learned from the very beginning of a preseason game based on who does not play. Why? Well, head coach Kevin O’Connell typically rests all starters in August games.
The Vikings skipper is expected to perhaps play starters a bit more than usual, but if you don’t see a particular player at all on Saturday, well, that man is probably guaranteed a roster spot in September. This theory will be applicable heavily in the second and third preseason games.
The Battle at CB4 to CB6
These three men have all but sewn up the Vikings’ primary cornerback jobs:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Jeff Okudah
And these players are vying for spots CB4-CB6:
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Dwight McGlothern
- Zemaiah Vaughn
- Ambry Thomas
Therefore, keeping an eye on Blackmon, McGlothern, Vaughn, and Thomas should provide ample intrigue for those fascinated with Minnesota’s defensive roster depth.
J.J. McCarthy, in General
This is it, folks. McCarthy will kickstart another chapter in his development this weekend, his second preseason game before his first NFL start in four weeks.
Minnesota drafted McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in 2024. He tore his meniscus four months later. Now, he’s back.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz wrote about McCarthy on Thursday, “All eyes will be on McCarthy, who will probably play anywhere from one single series to an entire half. Kevin O’Connell hasn’t revealed any specifics about the plan there, and it may depend on how things play out.”
“McCarthy hasn’t suited up for an NFL game of any sort since last year’s preseason opener, when he bounced back from an early interception and lit up the Raiders for 188 yards and two touchdowns (but tore his meniscus in the process). He’s excited about the opportunity to be back on the field in a game setting.”
The 22-year-old should play at least a few drives on Saturday.
“McCarthy’s training camp has mostly lived up to expectations. There’s been more good than bad, but it’s been a rollercoaster at times. That’s going to happen when you’re a 22-year-old quarterback going against Brian Flores and one of the best defenses in the league,” Ragatz added.
“Now he gets to put his development to the test against a different defense for the first time this year. Let’s get ready to overreact to a handful of throws.”
Assuming no injuries beset McCarthy in the next 30 days, he’ll become the first Vikings quarterback drafted in the Top 10 ever to start a game for the franchise.
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