DAILY CLIPS

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

LOCAL NEWS: Sunday, September 6, 2020

Pioneer Press

Dan Chisena ‘ecstatic’ to make Vikings’ roster as special teams ace By Chris Tomasson https://www.twincities.com/2020/09/05/dan-chisena-ecstatic-to-make-vikings-roster-as-special-teams-ace/

Despite being waived, Jake Lacina still has ‘dream’ of following in father’s footsteps on Vikings By Chris Tomasson https://www.twincities.com/2020/09/05/despite-being-waived-jake-lacina-still-has-dream-of-following-in-fathers- footsteps-on-vikings/

Charley Walters: Vikings come out ahead in Ngakoue-Griffen swap By Charley Walters https://www.twincities.com/2020/09/05/charley-walters-vikings-come-out-ahead-in-ngakoue-griffen-swap/

Vikings set 53-man roster after waiving guard Aviante Collins, QBs , , others By Chris Tomasson https://www.twincities.com/2020/09/05/vikings-set-53-man-roster-after-waiving-guard-aviante-collins-qbs-jake- browning-nate-stanley-others/

Star Tribune

Vikings settle on 53 players, but consider that flexible By Ben Goessling https://www.startribune.com/vikings-settle-on-53-players-but-consider-that-flexible/572330362/

Brightest spotlight continues to shine on as he readies for Year 3 By Chip Scoggins https://www.startribune.com/brightest-spotlight-continues-to-shine-on-kirk-cousins-as-he-readies-for-year- 3/572330662/

Facing Packers will restore some normalcy for Vikings By Sid Hartman https://www.startribune.com/facing-packers-will-restore-some-normalcy-for-vikings/572329662/

Vikings roster cuts: Jake Browning, Nate Stanley to be waived By Andrew Krammer https://www.startribune.com/vikings-roster-cuts-quarterbacks-jake-browning-nate-stanley-to-be-waived/572328152/

Vikings trim to initial 53-man roster, but more moves will come By Andrew Krammer https://www.startribune.com/vikings-trim-to-initial-53-man-roster-but-more-moves-will-come/572329482/

The Athletic

From Adam to Yannick, 53 thoughts on the Vikings’ 53-man roster By Chad Graff https://theathletic.com/2044742/2020/09/05/53-thoughts-vikings-53-man-roster/

SKOR North

Vikings roster breakdown: Is really going to stick and what’s the plan at safety? By Judd Zulgad https://www.skornorth.com/2020/09/vikings-roster-breakdown-is-dan-chisena-really-going-to-stick-and-whats-the- plan-at-safety/

Vikings cut to 53: WR Alexander Hollins and guard Aviante Collins among those placed on waivers By Judd Zulgad https://www.skornorth.com/2020/09/vikings-cut-to-53-wr-alexander-hollins-and-guard-aviante-collins-among-those- placed-on-waivers/

Zulgad: Nothing to lose: Josh Rosen could have opportunity to quietly revive career with Vikings By Judd Zulgad https://www.skornorth.com/2020/09/zulgad-nothing-to-lose-josh-rosen-could-have-opportunity-to-quietly-revive- career-with-vikings/

Purple Insider

Breaking down Vikings' final cuts and projecting the depth chart By Matthew Coller https://purpleinsider.substack.com/p/breaking-down-vikings-final-cuts

NATIONAL NEWS: Sunday, September 6, 2020

Associated Press

Vikings put LB Gedeon on PUP; 9 draft picks on active roster By Dave Campbell https://apnews.com/fa58b8e3d9b3b6f02ef24ba9560ff3e8

Maven Media

Minnesota Vikings 2020 Roster Cuts: An Updated List By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/minnesota-vikings-2020-roster-cuts-updated-list

Minnesota Vikings Initial 2020 53-Man Roster By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/minnesota-vikings-initial-2020-53-man-roster

Chad Beebe, Dan Chisena Set to Make Vikings 53-Man Roster By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/chad-beebe-dan-chisena-vikings-53-man-roster

Vikings To Waive Jake Browning and Nate Stanley, Want Both on Practice Squad By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-waive-jake-browning-nate-stanley-practice-squad

Vikings Waive Rookie Safety , May Pursue Veteran Depth By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-waive-rookie-safety-josh-metellus-veteran-depth

MULTIMEDIA NEWS: Sunday, September 6, 2020

Vikings Roster Reaction and Analysis: Ben Leber By VEN https://www.vikings.com/video/vikings-roster-reaction-and-analysis-ben-leber

Vikings Roster Reaction and Analysis: Pete Bercich By VEN https://www.vikings.com/video/vikings-roster-reaction-and-analysis-pete-bercich

Vikings Roster Reaction and Analysis: Ron Johnson By VEN https://www.vikings.com/video/vikings-roster-reaction-and-analysis-ron-johnson

Game-By-Game Predictions For The Full Vikings' 2020 Schedule By NFL Network https://www.vikings.com/video/game-by-game-predictions-for-the-full-vikings-2020-schedule

Game Pass Film Session: Breaks Down Guarding Zeke, Julio and Other Elite Players By NFL Network https://www.vikings.com/video/game-pass-film-session-eric-kendricks-breaks-down-guarding-zeke-julio-and-other-

One Week to Prepare By WCCO http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=9c800e4a-ca98-4bf7-a9b2-20be1ccff483

Vikings Cut Roster to 53 By KSTP http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=55697a5a-16a2-44a2-a8b0-4d34ff44a9e3

Vikings Make Final Cuts By KARE http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=91c79a64-c0ef-4c6f-9a16-819ec34744a0

Vikings Trim Roster to 53 By KMSP http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=b0581568-5769-4220-9339-69909a8d94ba

VIKINGS ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK NEWS: Sunday, September 6, 2020

On the Roster: A Look at the Vikings Initial 53 for 2020 By Craig Peters and Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/2020-roster-53-man-players-nfl-season

Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Initial 53-Man Roster By Craig Peters and Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/2020-roster-53-man-announced

PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 9/6/20

Dan Chisena ‘ecstatic’ to make Vikings’ roster as special teams ace

By Chris Tomasson

It isn’t often that an NFL team holds onto a special-teams player who doesn’t kick, punt, long snap or serve as a returner. But the Vikings did that on Saturday.

When the Vikings set their initial 53-man roster, they retained undrafted rookie Dan Chisena, who is listed on the roster as a but was kept around due to his abilities on special teams.

“I’m excited because I thought he was the best special-teams player in the country last year (at Penn State), and his speed of 4.28 (seconds in the 40-yard dash), you can’t replicate that,’’ said Chisena’s agent, Joe Linta.

Chisena last Sunday was moved to safety and switched jersey numbers from 85 to 39. However, he was returned to receiver last Thursday.

“He’s a developmental receiver that they had moved to safety, but they’re finding their way with him positionally,’’ Linta said. “They know he can continue to help on special teams and I think they see a pretty big upside on him.’’

The Vikings are looking to upgrade their special teams on both sides of the ball in the return game. Also making the team at receiver was K.J. Osborn, a fifth-round pick who was retained because of his ability as a punt and kickoff returner.

“(Chisena) has a nose for the ball,’’ Linta said. “He just creates problems in the punt game and on kickoffs. He gets down there and forces changes to the return scheme and things like that.’’

Linta said Chisena was “ecstatic” when he learned he had made the 53-man roster. Minnesota chose that path rather than trying to sneak Chisena through on waivers and place him on the 16-man practice squad.

Due to new rules during the coronavirus pandemic, teams can protect four players each week on the squad and up to two can be called up for a game and returned to the squad without having to go through waivers. However, Linta said waiving Chisena on Saturday would have posed an immediate risk for the Vikings.

“I think he might have gotten claimed,’’ Linta said. “He had a lot of teams that had wanted him, and they probably knew somebody might take him.’’

Chisena was the only one of 12 undrafted rookie free agents the Vikings signed last April to make the 53-man roster. He received a $10,000 signing bonus and had $40,000 of his salary guaranteed. The total guarantee of $50,000 was the third-most among the 12 signees. PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 9/6/20

Despite being waived, Jake Lacina still has ‘dream’ of following in father’s footsteps on Vikings

By Chris Tomasson

Despite being waived Saturday, center Jake Lacina hasn’t given up on the chance to make Vikings’ history.

Lacina is trying to follow in the footsteps of his father, former Minnesota guard Corbin Lacina, Never in the 60-year history of the franchise has a son of a former Vikings player also made the regular-season roster.

Former Vikings center Kirk Lowdermilk had his son, safety John Lowdermilk, named to the practice squad in 2015. There remains a chance that Lacina could be added to Minnesota’s practice squad and at least equal that feat.

“Definitely, the dream is not over by any means, but to do what I’ve done so far is pretty cool,’’ Lacina said.

Lacina starred at Cretin-Derham Hall High School and Augustana (S.D.) University before being signed last April by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent. He went through six weeks of training camp before being let go Saturday when rosters had to be trimmed to 53 players.

“I kind of knew it was going to happen when they called me in,’’ Lacina said of assistant general manager George Paton telling him he would be waived. “But I definitely believed in training camp that I competed well with the guys that I was going up against. At the end of the day, everybody puts their pants on the same way. It was nice for me to realize that I can do this.’’

Lacina is expected to clear waivers Sunday, and then could be added to the 16-man practice squad. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the squad has been increased after being at 10 players last season.

Lacina said he wasn’t given any guarantees but is hopeful of getting a spot on the practice squad in the near future, if not on Sunday. Corbin Lacina said his son was told that a possible berth could depend on what happens with center Brett Jones and guard Aviante Collins. Both were let go Saturday, and both have been offered practice-squad spots if they clear waivers.

“I think they’ve got to see how it shakes out with those guys,’’ said Corbin Lacina. “He’s just got to let the dust settle, whether it’s (Sunday) or a week from (Sunday) or a couple of weeks from (Sunday)’’

Corbin Lacina remains hopeful of his son one day playing in the NFL. With the pandemic having led to the cancellation of on-field spring drills and preseason games, he said it was very difficult this year for an undrafted rookie. Of the 12 undrafted rookies the Vikings signed last April, the only one to make the initial 53-man roster was wide receiver Dan Chisena, a special teams ace.

“Absolutely, he has the ability, he just needs the opportunity,’’ Corbin Lacina said of his son. “It’s so weird to pick a football team with no preseason games. Young guys can look good in the preseason and veteran guys can look not as good. He just needs to stay in shape and be ready to go, and he’ll be fine.’’

Corbin Lacina played in the NFL from 1994-2003, including 1999-2003 with the Vikings. He is well aware of Kirk Lowdermilk, who played for the Vikings from 1985-92, having his son at least make the team’s practice squad five years ago.

PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 9/6/20

Charley Walters: Vikings come out ahead in Ngakoue-Griffen swap

By Charley Walters

By not re-signing defensive end Everson Griffen, and with declining a contract extension, the Minnesota Vikings may have ended up with the NFL’s top pass-rushing tandem.

The Vikings used the $12 million they were willing to spend on Griffen and Cook to pay Yannick Ngakoue, acquired for a couple draft picks in an absolute steal of trade with Jacksonville.

After all, it’s a lot harder to find a good pass-rushing defensive end than it is a decent running back.

Unless the 6-feet-2, 246-pound Ngakoue, just 25 years old, suffers a major injury or is a complete bust, his contract with the Vikings won’t end with this season. When the season is over, he’ll either receive a mega-extension or be franchised. If franchised, he’ll receive at least $15 million for 2021.

Acquiring Ngakoue, though, could prove internally delicate for the Vikings.

Defensive end , who just turned 25 last month, is signed through 2023 at annual average pay of $14.4 million. He isn’t expected to be thrilled about playing for less than Ngakoue.

Hunter’s contract, by the way, isn’t even among the NFL’s top 15-paid defensive ends.

It’s no guarantee that safety Anthony Harris, franchised this season for $11.4 million, will be back with the Vikings for 2021, and that could free up money for Ngakoue, and perhaps even an extension for Hunter.

Same for linebacker Anthony Barr ($12.7 million this season) if he doesn’t have an exceptional year. And also for left tackle Riley Reiff, whose deal this season was $11 million before being cut by $5 million in a contract restructure last week, NFL Network reported.

Regarding other forthcoming economic issues, the Vikings probably won’t be able to afford both Harris and fellow safety Harrison Smith ($10.3 million) next year. One will have to go.

After this season ends, the Vikings could move right tackle Brian O’Neill over to replace Reiff, but that will cost the team a significant payroll increase for O’Neill.

The way it looks now, Cook will play this season for his $1.3 million contract. If the Vikings can sign Ngakoue to an extension before next March, the team could franchise Cook. Depending on NFL revenues during this COVID-19 season, that could cost about $8.3 million for 2021. Or the Vikings could trade Cook.

Bengals running back Joe Mixon, in the same 2017 draft class as Cook, last week signed a $48 million, four-year contract, but the real money is in the first two years of the deal: $20 million.It’s unknown whether the Vikings offered Cook a similar contract and whether he declined. If so, and if he’s injured this season, he and his agent will be sorry.

Zach Zenner, 28, the former Eagan running back star who has played for four NFL teams, is a free agent with his suitcase packed, hoping for a call. If not football, Zenner has among several career options medical school.

If the Vikings can get Hunter and Ngakoue to effectively rush QB Aaron Rodgers next Sunday in the season opener in Minneapolis, they can win. Without that rush, Rodgers should be able to pick apart the Vikings’ young secondary.

The Packers in the off-season didn’t add a lot, but didn’t lose a lot. The Vikings lost a lot of players. And they were counting on nose tackle Michael Pierce to replace Linval Joseph, but he opted out of the season for fear of COVID- 19. Pierce, by the way, received a $6 million signing bonus.

Wishing the best for all-time good guy Jim Petersen, 58, the Timberwolves’ TV analyst, who is recovering from quadruple heart bypass surgery at Mayo Clinic.

“Surgery was a big success. I’m doing well and going home on Monday,” Petersen said Saturday.

Speaking to the St. Paul Capital Club last Tuesday morning via Zoom, guest Big Ten football commissioner Kevin Warren was considerate enough to finish his commitment to the virtual audience rather than let it be interrupted by a phone call from President Donald Trump, who wanted him to restart the football season.

Vikings GM Rick Spielman will preview the season on Tuesday morning to the Twin Cities Dunkers via Zoom.

Former Minnesota U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, who steered the NHL to St. Paul when he was mayor, will be keynote speaker when the East Metro “Leaders in Local Government” presents its awards virtually on Sept. 17.

Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck has teamed up with Red Savoy’s pizza in funny “SotaStyle” to-be-aired TV commercials.

Connecticut-bound freshman point guard Paige Bueckers from Hopkins has made her second national sports magazine cover (SLAM was first), appearing in the new Sports Illustrated, which features three pages on her basketball prowess and points out she has more than 550,000 Instragram followers.

It’s been four years since retired after 11 seasons as linebacker for the Vikings.

“We’re doing really well,” the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker said the other day at his “Lead the Way Foundation” golf tournament at Wayzata Country Club.

Greenway, 37, and his family reside in Wayzata. He and wife Jennifer have four daughters, among them Maddyn, a seventh grader expected to start at point guard for Providence Academy high school this year.

The 6-foot-3 Greenway weighs nearly 20 pounds less than the 237 he played at.

“Just eating good, working out, don’t lift heavy anymore,” he said.

Greenway is an investor in Gray Duck Vodka, which came on the market two years ago.

“We’re in five states now and seeing a lot of growth,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot about business. It’s been a fun, new challenge.”

Greenway said he’s glad the NFL is “charging ahead” with the season despite the coronavirus pandemic. He said wouldn’t have even considered not playing despite the pandemic.

”Not at all. I would have played,” he said. “The thing about it is they (players) are in a safer environment than any of us are walking around in normal life.”

Asked if Kirk Cousins should receive extra protection from the virus, Greenway said absolutely.

“Wouldn’t you? Knowing that certain positions are more at risk, you would hope that your quarterback stays in a pretty tight bubble at home and at work,” he said.

If Cousins were to become infected?

“That would change things,” Greenway said.

Greenway on the Vikings heading into the season: “I think they will be very good, I really do. We need a happy Dalvin Cook, and I think they’ll work through (contract extension) that.”

The Twins make their first Sunday Night Baseball appearance in 10 years on ESPN on Sept. 20 against the first- place Cubs in Chicago.

It looks like WCCO-AM’s popular “Sports Huddle” Sunday program, off the air since March 15 due to COVID-19, won’t be returning until 2021.

Ex-Gophers QB Tony Dungy, 64, will replace Doug Flutie as home-game analyst for Notre Dame football this season.

Steve Walsh, the former Cretin-Derham Hall, Miami and NFL quarterback from St. Paul, remains QB coach for the Ottawa Redblacks even though the Canadian Football League the other day canceled its season due to COVID-19.

Walsh, 53, who played 11 seasons in the NFL, is back home in West Palm Beach, Fla., doing offseason projects for the Redblacks, who plan to resume play next May.

Chris Weinke, 48, the ex-Cretin star who won the 2000 Heisman Trophy at Florida State before a five-year NFL career, is back as QB coach for the Tennessee Vols.

That was Spire Credit Union CEO Dan Stoltz acing the 179-yard fifth hole at North Oaks on Friday.

Maple Grove’s Ross Miller, 28, seeks his third straight TapeMark PGA Pro-Am victory Sept. 18-20 at Southview Country Club.

Pitcher Joey Stock’s signing with the Boston Red Sox last week is the second professional signing this year of a Division III St. John’s athlete, the other offensive lineman Ben Bartch with Jacksonville. Stock is 6-5, 210 pounds. Bartch is 6-6, 308. Bartch, by the way, is having an impressive training camp with the Jags, who feel he has the versatility to play either guard, tackle or even center.

DON’T PRINT THAT

Pssst: Representatives of the Straus Group that has been negotiating with Glen Taylor to buy the Timberwolves and were at Target Center the other day perusing the facilities have been debating whether it’s a positive or negative to include Kevin Garnett, who wants in.

The Haslam Sports Group, led by Cleveland Browns billionaire owner Jimmy Haslam, told Sportico it isn’t currently pursuing the Wolves, contrary to the sports business publication’s report.

Lefty starter Madison Bumgarner, 31, in whom the Twins were seriously interested last winter, is 0-3 with a 9.35 ERA for the Diamondbacks, who are stuck with his $85 million, five-year contract.

There’s buzz that Big Ten men’s basketball, if the season begins without nonconference games because of COVID- 19,could redo the schedule for limited regional travel, meaning the Gophers could end up playing Wisconsin and Iowa twice at home and twice on the road.

Look for U.S. Bank Stadium to house the Gophers if the Big Ten football season begins in January.

Tom Seaver, who died at age 75 last week from complications of dementia and COVID-19, and Jerry Koosman, the former Twin from Appleton, Minn., were New York Mets teammates on 1969 and 1973 World Series teams.

“It came as a shock. I didn’t know his dementia was that far along,” Koosman said from his home in Osceola, Wis. “He was part of your life. We played together a long time and had a lot of good times together. It’s sad to see him go so quick.”

Koosman, who won 20 games for the Twins in 1979, turns 78 in December.

“At one time I thought 75 was up there, but now I don’t think it is. Who would ever thought you’d live to see that happen?”

Koosman visited Seaver several times at Seaver’s home near Calistoga, Calif.

““The last time I talked to Tom was when I was out there two or three years ago,” he said. “It was fine, but he had signs of (dementia) then. He was repeating himself. But he remembered everything. When we walked into his yard with his family, he grabbed me and said, ‘There’s over 500 wins right here boys and girls.’ ”

Koosman laughed. Seaver had 311 career victories, Koosman 222. When Koosman’s No. 36 is retired by the Mets next year, he and Seaver will be two of only three Mets to have their jerseys retired. The other is catcher Mike Piazza.

Word is the Vikings offered pass rusher Everson Griffen a deal comparable to the $6 million he received from the Cowboys, but he didn’t want to come back to Minnesota.

Due to COVID-19, former Twins Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat will have to wait another year for Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame voting.

Justin Morneau’s Twins Hall of Fame induction, postponed this year, will roll over to next season

Former Viking Jared Allen becomes eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year. But it’s expected to take at least two years before he’s elected, maybe three.

It won’t be surprising if Bert Blyleven, 69, whose 25-year broadcasting career with the Twins ended last week, ends up as a broadcast analyst for either ESPN or the MLB Network or the Angels, for whom the Hall of Famer pitched brilliantly for four seasons.Meanwhile, he’ll remain with the Twins as a special assistant.

Twins GM Thad Levine on working with the St. Paul Saints, who have provided CHS Field for taxi squad player workouts: “It’s been a very good relationship.” It still looks like St. Paul will become the Triple-A affiliate for the Twins.

Former Gophers athletics director Joel Maturi remains on the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions and has several hearings coming up.

Big Ten football officials are out some $33,000 in pay by having the fall season postponed. Mid-Division I football officials will lose some $25,000. NFL officials average about $225,000 a season.

Learfield Sports is working on getting St. Thomas football radio broadcast rights for 2021. WCCO-AM has been broadcasting Tommies football games for years with award winners Dave Lee and Eric Nelson.

Had there been a full 162-game season, the Twins were sure to draw more than 2.5 million spectators, the most at Target Field in nine years. Meanwhile, only a small percentage of season ticket holders have requested refunds, most deciding to roll their investments over to 2021.

Wild rookie Kirill Kaprizov’s No. 97 jerseys, the same number he wore in Russia, already are on sale at Southdale Center.

Seth Appert, 46, from Park-Cottage Grove will be new head coach for the Buffalo Sabres’ American Hockey League Rochester Americans

OVERHEARD

Former Mets and Twins pitcher Jerry Koosman, 77, on plans to go fishing in northern Minnesota in a couple of weeks: “With this COVID around, you can’t go out dancing anymore.” PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 9/6/20

Vikings set 53-man roster after waiving guard Aviante Collins, QBs Jake Browning, Nate Stanley, others

By Chris Tomasson

The Vikings have set their initial 53-man roster but be ready for some changes.

The roster turned into the NFL on Saturday features just two safeties in starters Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris, and the Vikings are actively looking for players at that position. The roster is top heavy with seven wide receivers and 11 defensive linemen.

The Vikings cut 22 players, with perhaps the biggest surprise being the exit of Aviante Collins, who had split reps at first-team left guard with for much of training camp before Dozier won the job. Collins, who spent the past three seasons with Minnesota, has been offered a spot on the practice squad if he clears waivers on Sunday.

Another unexpected move was the release of center Brett Jones, who played the past two seasons with the Vikings. He also has been offered a spot on the practice squad.

Among players kept around, the biggest surprise was the retention of receiver Dan Chisena, an ace on special teams. Chisena was moved to safety last Sunday, but was moved back to receiver four days later. Chisena was the only one of 12 undrafted rookie free agents signed last April to make the 53-man roster, and is one of 10 total rookies on it.

“He’s ecstatic,’’ said Chisena’s agent, Joe Linta. “He’s obviously excited to be on the 53 right now.’’

Linta also represents quarterback Nate Stanley, a seventh-round pick who starred at Menomonie (Wis.) High School and Iowa and was waived Saturday. Linta said Stanley has been offered a spot on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

“I think he might get claimed,’’ Linta said. “He had a lot of teams that wanted him (before the Vikings drafted him).’’

Linta believes Stanley had moved ahead of Jake Browning to be the No. 3 quarterback in training camp behind starter Kirk Cousins and backup Sean Mannion, the two on the 53-man roster. A source said Browning also has been offered a possible spot on the practice squad.

Due to the possibility of players being sidelined during the coronavirus pandemic, the Vikings, who open the season next Sunday against Green Bay at U.S. Bank Stadium, appear to want two quarterbacks on the practice squad. The squad includes 16 players after being 10 in 2019.

The Vikings also waived undrafted rookie center Jake Lacina, who starred at Cretin-Derham Hall High School and Augustana (S.D.) University and is the son of former Vikings guard Corbin Lacina. And they waived wide receiver Alexander Hollins, who had a solid training camp and has been given a possible practice-squad invitation.

Also let go were receivers and Quartney Davis, safeties Josh Mettelus, Steven Parker and Myles Dorn, Nevelle Clarke, Nate Meadors and Mark Fields, tight ends Brandon Dillon and Nakia Griffin- Stewart, linebackers and David Reese II, fullback , tackle , guard and defensive tackle David Moa.

All the players let go must go through waivers except Jones, who had his contract terminated as a vested veteran. Dorn was waived with an injury designation, so he would end up on injured reserve if not claimed.

Injured linebacker was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list after being on the active PUP list throughout training camp.

The logjam of seven receivers includes , , rookie , , Tajae Sharpe, K.J. Osborn and Chisena. Like Chisena, Osborn, a fifth-round pick, was retained for special teams reasons.

A source said Osborn worked with the first team in practice over the past week at punt and kickoff returner. If Osborn is deemed not ready for the kickoff role, Minnesota kept incumbent , a running back.

After cutting three safeties Saturday, Minnesota will be scour the waiver wire for help. A source said free-agent safety George Iloka, who played for the Vikings in 2018 and worked out for them recently, remains a candidate to rejoin them.

RELATED ARTICLES Dan Chisena ‘ecstatic’ to make Vikings’ roster as special teams ace Despite being waived, Jake Lacina still has ‘dream’ of following in father’s footsteps on Vikings Charley Walters: Vikings come out ahead in Ngakoue-Griffen swap New Vikings DE Yannick Ngakoue has his eye on hall of fame With cut day looming, who’s on the bubble for Vikings? Of the Vikings’ 15 draft picks, nine made the 53-man roster, and all were taken in the first five rounds. Among the six players they took in rounds six and seven, defensive end , a seventh-round pick, was placed Wednesday on injured reserve, and the rest were waived.

The Vikings are hoping of bringing back a number of players they let go to the practice squad, which will be set Sunday. Rules for this season allow teams to designate four practice-squad players each week who can’t be signed by another team. The squad can feature as many as six players on it who are vested veterans.

As many as two practice-squad players can be called up to the active roster for each game without having to clear waivers to return to the squad. And all players on the squad can travel to road games.

Excluding rookies, the only newcomers on the Vikings are defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, linebacker Hardy Nickerson Jr. and Sharpe. Nickerson is the son of former NFL star linebacker Hardy Nickerson Sr.

VIKINGS’ 53-MAN ROSTER Quarterbacks (2)

Kirk Cousins

Sean Mannion

Running backs (5)

Dalvin Cook

C.J.Ham (FB)

Alexander Mattison

Mike Boone

Ameer Abdullah

Wide receivers (7)

Adam Thielen

Bisi Johnson

Justin Jefferson

Chad Beebe

Tajae Sharpe

K.J. Osborn

Dan Chisena

Tight ends (3)

Kyle Rudolph

Irv Smith Jr.

Tyler Conklin

Offensive linemen (9)

Riley Reiff (T)

Dakota Dozier (G)

Garrett Bradbury (C)

Pat Elflein (G)

Brian O’Neill (T)

Rashod Hill (T)

Ezra Cleveland (G)

Dru Samia (G)

Oli Udoh (T)

Defensive linemen (11)

Danielle Hunter (DE)

Yannick Ngakoue (DE)

Shamar Stephen (DT)

Jaleel Johnson (DT)

Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE)

Armon Watts (DT)

Jalyn Holmes (DE)

Hercules Mata’afa (DT)

Eddie Yarbrough (DE)

D.J. Wonnum (DE)

James Lynch (DT)

Linebackers (5)

Anthony Barr

Eric Kendricks

Eric Wilson

Hardy Nickerson

Troy Dye

Defensive backs (8)

Harrison Smith (S)

Anthony Harris (S)

Mike Hughes (CB)

Holton Hill (CB)

Jeff Gladney (CB)

Cameron Dantzler (CB)

Kris Boyd (CB)

Harrison Hand (CB)

Specialists (3)

Dan Bailey (K)

Britton Colquitt (P)

Austin Cutting (LS)

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 9/6/20

Vikings settle on 53 players, but consider that flexible

By Ben Goessling

When the Vikings first discuss their 53-man roster on Monday, they’ll likely echo the aphorisms offered by some NFL decision-makers who talked with reporters on Saturday: that rosters, even after they’re trimmed for the start of the regular season, are never set in stone.

The group of 53 the Vikings put together on Saturday, following a series of 22 cuts before a 3 p.m. deadline, seems almost certain to change: They kept seven receivers, a year after putting just four on the initial 53, and retained 11 defensive linemen. By contrast, the only two safeties on the Vikings’ roster are Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris, who figure to be backed up by an acquisition in the coming days.

But this iteration of the roster, assembled at the end of the team’s 60th training camp, will be worth at least a historical footnote before its inevitable modification.

The Vikings stuck largely with known commodities on Saturday, making center Brett Jones the only vested veteran they released while letting go of 13 rookies and six second-year players. They placed linebacker Ben Gedeon, who had two concussions last season and did not practice during training camp, on the physically-unable-to-perform list to start the season.

They will head into the season with 10 rookies: nine of their 15 picks from a class that was larger than any in the draft’s modern era, and wide receiver Dan Chisena, an undrafted free agent whom the Vikings had shifted to defensive back for three days in camp. Seventh-round pick Kenny Willekes remains in the organization, but is on injured reserve after suffering a leg injury during the team’s Aug. 28 practice at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Several of the other 2020 draft picks the Vikings released could end up on their jumbo-sized practice squad after clearing waivers on Sunday, as the team assembles a group the NFL allowed to reach 16 players this year because of concerns the coronavirus could disrupt rosters. The lack of a preseason meant other teams had no chance to evaluate game film of Vikings rookies, which could give the team an easier path to get its own players back onto its practice squad.

It also means Vikings scouts were unable to evaluate rookies from other teams in the preseason, and will be left with their pre-draft notes on players they might pursue. The bizarre circumstances could create more jobs for veteran players who represent something of a known commodity and might theoretically pick up a new scheme quicker than a rookie could.

Safety might be the spot where the Vikings — who start the season 25th in the NFL’s waiver claim process because of their trip to the NFC divisional playoffs last year — first look to add depth, after releasing safety Steven Parker and draft pick Josh Metellus on Saturday. Smith and Harris are among the NFL’s top safety duos, but an injury to either one would leave the Vikings in a difficult spot given the youth of their group.

On offense, their group of receivers stood out in part because of how infrequently they used three-receiver sets last season (though indications in training camp were offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak might spread things out a little more this year). Coach praised second-year man Bisi Johnson for his improvement last week, and Johnson could start opposite Adam Thielen when the Vikings have two receivers on the field.

But first-rounder Justin Jefferson could see plenty of time in the slot, and fifth-rounder K.J. Osborn figures to be the Vikings’ return man after playing there in training camp. The Vikings decided to give Chad Beebe another chance to stay healthy, and hung onto Chisena while cutting training camp standout Alexander Hollins (who could wind up on the practice squad Sunday).

The team’s stockpile of defensive linemen comes as the Vikings try to make up for the loss of nose tackle Michael Pierce, who opted out of the season because of COVID-19 concerns. The Vikings will also have to divulge the status of Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter when they issue their first injury report on Wednesday, after going to great lengths to conceal a training camp injury that Zimmer would only describe as a “tweak” to the fastest player in NFL history ever to reach 50 sacks. PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 9/6/20

Brightest spotlight continues to shine on Kirk Cousins as he readies for Year 3

By Chip Scoggins

The Vikings officially enter game week Monday, with the opener against their biggest rival in clear view now, which means we can go back to critiquing how Kirk Cousins performs when the pocket collapses.

Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

The blowtorch that singed Cousins’ backside this past week was an example of cancel culture on display. The Vikings quarterback expressed his opinion on a divisive subject using some clumsy phrasing, and the social media stampede snorted and took off.

Never mind that millions upon millions of citizens happen to share the same opinion as Cousins on COVID-19, and that the root of his message shouldn’t be all that controversial, if we truly value freedom of expression and individual thought.

Cousins said he doesn’t live in fear of the virus, that his faith gives him peace in the event of the worst outcome, and that he’s not a fan of masks but wears them out of respect for people and to protect those around him.

And he got ripped to shreds for that?

What a country.

We live in a sound-bite society, and it was two phrases in his original comments on a national podcast that got Cousins in hot water: “Survival of the fittest” and “If I die, I die.”

Upon reflection, I’m guessing Cousins wishes he could take back those two comments. Or explain his feelings in more detail to avoid sounding flippant. As an NFL quarterback, he lives a fishbowl existence in which everything he says is dissected and scrutinized. Fair or not, that’s the deal, on any subject.

But he shouldn’t feel compelled to apologize for having an opinion that might differ from others. More than his intent or his message, those two phrases sparked the uproar. Those lines will probably stick with him in the same way “You like that?” has become his trademark.

This country is so deeply divided and quick-triggered that every … single … topic is bound to make someone angry. We can’t even agree on what day of the week it is without breaking into a verbal donnybrook and accusing each other of being idiots. It’s exhausting.

Sheesh.

Now, back to football.

In that realm, the line on Cousins probably won’t be much different in Year 3 than his first two seasons in purple. Some good, some bad, with much of his production riding on whether his offensive line shows improvement and several young receivers emerge to take pressure off Adam Thielen now that Stefon Diggs is no longer his sidekick.

Cousins altered the “big game” knock last season by winning a playoff game in New Orleans, highlighted by a 43- yard completion to Thielen in overtime that could not have been thrown any better.

The other narrative continued in vivid imagery the following week, when San Francisco’s ferocious pass rush overwhelmed the Vikings’ line and turned Cousins skittish. He had no chance that day.

An abundance of evidence exists by now that Cousins isn’t and will never be Harry Houdini in the pocket. He has a different skill set than some of the league’s young stars who play that position with a sense of flair and improvisation.

Cousins’ style is more textbook. Given ideal conditions, he’s extremely accurate with a nice touch. He looks most comfortable with scripted deception on rollouts and bootlegs. There are games in which he looks like a maestro, but also games in which he looks flustered and indecisive.

Therein lies the great debate about Cousins. Is he good, better than good, elite, or continually sabotaged by offensive line neglect? That evaluation always seems to be a moving target.

His offensive line doesn’t look all that different or primed to take a significant step forward. That position remains a major question mark, and we’ve seen how Cousins responds when they struggle.

The organization gave Cousins an extension in March, so this won’t be a lame-duck season as his original contract set up to be. The pressure on him hasn’t changed, though. Cousins remains the most important player on the roster, the guy with the biggest spotlight, and whatever happens under that light will be the subject of great debate. PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 9/6/20

Facing Packers will restore some normalcy for Vikings

By Sid Hartman

SID HARTMAN @SIDHARTMAN This will be one of the most enjoyable weeks for the Vikings players and coaching staff as the team can finally put together a regular week of game planning to prepare to face the at noon next Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

This entire preseason, the front office and coaching staff has had to change plans on the fly to try to create some normalcy with the NFL canceling the preseason because of the coronavirus and putting all kinds of limits on OTAs and minicamps for rookies and veterans.

But now the club can put together a standard week of meetings that should offer some familiar routines.

Head coach Mike Zimmer said the coaches have made sure not to overwhelm the players with plans for Green Bay — a game which Vegas has the Vikings favored to win at 2.5 points — because the team had so much to work on with its own schemes and player development.

“It’s important that we don’t get too far ahead of ourselves; let’s focus on us right now and then we can start worrying about Green Bay as we get closer to next week,” Zimmer said. “There is a fine line of giving them a game plan and them getting a little stale with it too early. But we want to be prepared, so we’ll work a little extra on them but not too much more than normal.”

Although this game may not have 66,000 Vikings fans going crazy, the players will still have a lot of motivation after the Packers derailed their NFC North title hopes last year. In two contests with the Packers in 2019, the Vikings were outscored 44-26, outgained 718 yards to 550 and had the ball for 48 minutes, 22 seconds compared with 71:44 for the Packers.

In Week 16, the Packers came into U.S. Bank Stadium and outgained the Vikings 383-139 to end any hopes of a division title for the Purple.

There couldn’t be a better game for the Vikings to open the season with than facing their biggest rival. And while Zimmer said it was tough not having preseason contests, he does feel like the team is moving in the right direction.

“I keep seeing improvement, you know, and as you get going the first day you start out and it looks like this and the second day it’s a little bit better. I feel like we have continued to improve,” he said. “I think both sides of the ball have improved. I guess that’s the best positive out of it.”

Crash course for coaches

The Vikings have had a ton of turnover this offseason — from losing franchise stars like Everson Griffen and Stefon Diggs to adding an NFL-record 15 draft picks and making a late trade for a star defensive end in Yannick Ngakoue.

But maybe the biggest changes will be on the coaching staff.

Gary Kubiak will take over for as offensive coordinator for Kevin Stefanski. Adam Zimmer and Andre Patterson will serve as co-defensive coordinators in place of George Edwards. Andrew Janocko moves to wide receivers coach to replace Drew Petzing, and Daronte Jones replaces Jerry Gray, who is now with the Packers, as defensive backs coach.

And the biggest part of missing the preseason is those coaches haven’t gotten to work together during a real in-game experience.

But Zimmer said he’s confident some of the game-scenario work they did during camp will pay off next Sunday.

“I think we’re good in that area. But it’s good to get practice in game situations where you don’t know what the situation is going to be, it just comes up and you have to make your calls and get your personnel in and things like that,” Zimmer said. “It’s always a good refresher for coaches considering we don’t have preseason games.”

Prepare for change

Yes, while the Twins have been playing for weeks, this Vikings squad will be the first team to play its planned pro season and schedule since the coronavirus shut down sports in March.

The Twins have been facing only the American League Central and the National League Central in a shortened 60- game season, but the Vikings will have a full 16-game schedule and travel around the country like they would during a normal campaign.

But Zimmer said he isn’t taking anything for granted and knows that the league and the Vikings’ situation can change at any moment.

“I think it’s going to continually change,” Zimmer said. “All of the protocols are going to continually change throughout the course of the season, just like they have been changing through the preseason. All of these things, the more that we know about the virus, the more we know about everything, it’s going to continually change. I foresee that for the near future, anyway.”

The Vikings have done their best in a difficult situation, and there’s no doubt that playing without fans will be tough, but with the Packers coming to town next week, things should finally feel a little more normal at TCO Performance Center.

JOTTINGS

• Vikings wideout Adam Thielen on getting ready for a regular-season game against the Packers next week without a single preseason game: “You better be ready. I mean, there is no other choice, right? Once that first Sunday hits, you better be.”

• Offensive line coach Rick Dennison said the Vikings’ decision to move second-round draft pick from tackle, his position at Boise State, to guard is all about his strengths. “Looking at him in college the way he played the tackle position, which he did a fine job, he likes shorter spaces,” said Dennison. “He has great feet, great balance, but he likes smaller spaces. We thought we’d start there and work into his length.”

• Twins legend Joe Mauer is still doing a lot of great work for Gillette Children’s Hospital and is helping with fundraising for their Walk & Roll Family Fun Day on Sept. 12. The event will be virtual this year.

• Former Gophers linebacker Carter Coughlin is battling to make the New York Giants’ 53-man roster after being drafted in the seventh round. He told Newsday out of Long Island that he’s aware cuts are coming. “I’d be lying if I said that’s not something that sits in the back of your mind. But you can’t sit and focus on the what-ifs and what the future holds.’

• Jimmy Shapiro of Bovada out of Las Vegas notes that the over/under for Kirk Cousins touchdown passes this year is 25 while the number for is 10. Last year, Cousins had 26 touchdowns against six picks.

• Wolves point guard D’Angelo Russell talked on NBA veteran J.J. Redick’s podcast about how he would handle it if the Wolves drafted point guard LaMelo Ball at No. 1 overall: “I wouldn’t mind it, honestly, if that’s what it was and that’s what they see in the future. Man, I’ve been in so many situations, I’d attack it like any other.” PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 9/6/20

Vikings roster cuts: Quarterbacks Jake Browning, Nate Stanley to be waived

By Andrew Krammer

The Vikings are expected to keep two quarterbacks on this year’s initial 53-man roster, while hoping to stash the other two passers from camp onto the practice squad.

Quarterbacks Jake Browning and Nate Stanley are expected to be waived by Saturday’s 3 p.m. deadline for all NFL teams to trim offseason rosters, according to league sources. The team would like both back on the practice squad, sources added, and hold onto four quarterbacks, perhaps because of the pandemic.

Receiver Alexander Hollins, the second-year product out of Eastern Illinois, will also be waived, according to a league source. Hollins, who had a good camp, is a candidate for the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Add guard/tackle Aviante Collins to the list of Vikings’ cuts this weekend. He had competed for the open left guard job in camp, but the spot went to Dakota Dozier, and the Vikings are moving on from Collins, according to a league source.

Fullback Jake Bargas, an undrafted signing and former UNC tight end, will be waived, per a league source. The Vikings like to keep a fullback on the practice squad, and Bargas is a logical addition.

Cornerback Mark Fields is another practice squad candidate after the Vikings plan to waive him on Saturday, according to a league source. Fields, acquired a year ago from the Chiefs for a 2021 seventh-round pick, had been working as a slot corner in camp.

NFL teams can start adding to practice squads Sunday at noon.

Tight end Brandon Dillon, who made the 53-man roster last season as an undrafted free agent from Marian, has been waived this time, per a source. Per sources, the Vikings will also waive tight end Nakia-Griffin Stewart and center Jake Lacina, the undrafted former Augustana (S.D.) offensive lineman and son of former NFL/Vikings guard Corbin Lacina.

Rookies had a hard time making the roster after shortened practice schedules and no preseason games.

Linebacker Blake Lynch, guaranteed $40,000 as an undrafted free agent from Baylor, is among the impending cuts, according to a league source.

Look for the Vikings to add a safety off the waiver wire this weekend, as three backups have been notified of their release. Undrafted rookie Myles Dorn, the UNC product, will be waived, according to a league source.

The Vikings will also waive sixth-round safety Josh Metellus and safety Steven Parker, league sources confirmed.

UPDATE:Vikings trim to initial 53-man roster

Vikings’ confirmed cuts QB Nate Stanley QB Jake Browning FB Jake Bargas G/T Aviante Collins C Jake Lacina C Brett Jones OT Blake Brandel WR Alexander Hollins WR Quartney Davis WR Dillon Mitchell TE Brandon Dillon TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart LB Blake Lynch LB David Reese II DT David Moa CB Mark Fields CB Nevelle Clarke S Josh Metellus S Steven Parker S Myles Dorn DB Nate Meadors

The Vikings started cuts earlier this week, moving on from defensive end Anthony Zettel and three others. — In other news, the full details of left tackle Riley Reiff’s restructured contract are below, via Star Tribune writer Ben Goessling (adding a correction that Reiff’s 2020 cap number is $8.2 million). PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 9/6/20

Vikings trim to initial 53-man roster, but more moves will come

By Andrew Krammer

The Vikings’ initial 53-man roster is set, and it’s initial.

More moves are expected to come as the players released by the Vikings on Saturday, as well as from every team around the league, will be available on waivers. Claims are processed on Sunday, when the 16-man practice squad can be filled out.

Here’s the first version of the Vikings’ 53:

Quarterbacks (2)

Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion

Waived: Jake Browning, Nate Stanley

Just two quarterbacks make the active roster, but Jake Browning and Nate Stanley, the seventh-round pick out of Iowa, are expected to be re-signed to the practice squad on Sunday if they clear waivers, according to league sources.

Running backs (5)

Dalvin Cook, , C.J. Ham, Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah

Waived:FB Jake Bargas, RB Tony Brooks-James

The same five-man backfield returns for the 2020 season, including fullback C.J. Ham and reserve backs Mike Boone and Ameer Abdullah, who adds value as a returner and third-down option.

Receivers (7)

Adam Thielen, Olabisi Johnson, Justin Jefferson, Tajae Sharpe, Chad Beebe, K.J. Osborn and Dan Chisena

Waived:Alexander Hollins, Quartney Davis and Dillon Mitchell

Seven receivers make the initial 53-man roster, but this can change quickly as waiver claims are processed by Sunday. Chisena, who got $60,000 guaranteed as an undrafted free agent from Penn St., intrigues as a stellar athlete who is raw at football. Hollins is a practice squad candidate.

Tight ends (3)

Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith Jr. and

Waived:Brandon Dillon, Nakia Griffin-Stewart

No surprises here. The Vikings have a strong trio in Rudolph, Smith and Conklin, and could return Dillon to the practice squad.

Offensive line (9)

LT Riley Reiff, LG Dakota Dozier, C , RG , RT Brian O’Neill, OT , OT , G/T Ezra Cleveland and G

Waived:OT Blake Brandel,G/T Aviante Collins, C Brett Jones, C Jake Lacina and G Kyle Hinton

The Vikings are moving on from Aviante Collins after he competed for the left guard job this summer, choosing younger options. Backup interior linemen like Jones and Lacina are prime practice squad candidates.

Defensive line (11)

DE Danielle Hunter, DE Yannick Ngakoue, DT Shamar Stephen, DT , DT , DE , DT Hercules Mata’afa, DE , DE D.J. Wonnum, DE Eddie Yarbrough and DT James Lynch

Waived:DT David Moa, DE Anthony Zettel, DE Stacy Keely

The Vikings hoarded defensive linemen in keeping 11, which could change depending on waiver claims at other positions. Six defensive ends is quite the logjam, and the team is light elsewhere.

Linebackers (5)

Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Eric Wilson, and Hardy Nickerson Jr.

Waived:Blake Lynch, Jordan Fehr, David Reese II

Reserve/PUP:Ben Gedeon

The Vikings stick with an experienced trio in Barr, Kendricks and Wilson, while Ben Gedeon was placed on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. Gedeon will miss at least the first six games.

Defensive backs (8)

S Harrison Smith, S Anthony Harris, CB Mike Hughes, CB Holton Hill, CB , CB , CB Kris Boyd and DB

Waived:S Nate Meadors,CB Mark Fields II, CB Nevelle Clarke, S Steven Parker, S Josh Metellus and S Myles Dorn

Cutting Clarke, the undrafted rookie from Central Florida, exposes the team’s top UDFA signing as they guaranteed him $115,000. The Vikings front office has long searched to upgrade safety depth, so a new addition or two is expected after cutting every backup.

Specialists (3)

K Dan Bailey, P and LS Austin Cutting

The Vikings maintain last year’s fourth-ranked field goal team, with the benefit of trusted veterans coming off a shortened offseason with no exhibition games.

PUBLICATION: The Athletic DATE: 9/6/20

From Adam to Yannick, 53 thoughts on the Vikings’ 53-man roster

By Arif Hasan

At long last, the Vikings’ season is only a week away. And as such, cutdown day is now complete.

The Vikings, like all teams, are down to 53 players along with their looming expanded 16-man practice squad that will be determined Sunday. Of note: This is only the initial roster. It seems likely that the Vikings tweak it a bit before the Sept. 13 opener against the Packers by adding a safety.

But for now, let’s take a peek at the 53-man, with thoughts on each player.

Offense Kirk Cousins, QB: He’s bemoaned in the past the number of offensive coordinators he’s worked with. And, yes, this technically presents another season with a new play-caller. But Gary Kubiak was heavily involved in the offense last season, and the scheme remains the same. Everything is there for Cousins to take a small step forward. He doesn’t need to play like he did in October a year ago, but he’s in a system that doesn’t ask him to do anything crazy. Just make the right checks, hit the open receiver and it should be a good season for Cousins.

Sean Mannion, QB: He had competition to win the backup job for a second consecutive year, but he clearly outplayed Jake Browning and Nate Stanley to get the gig again. If the Vikings are forced to rely on him, they’ve got a tall task ahead. Mannion got his first Vikings start in Week 17 a year ago and completed just 12 of 21 passes for 126 yards. But he’s the backup more for how he can help Cousins in the quarterback room than how he might perform in spot situations.

Dalvin Cook, RB: The holdout never happened, and Cook was a fixture at every training camp practice. He’s poised for a huge season if he can stay healthy, one that would set up an interesting offseason. At that point, Cook can either seek elsewhere the big contract he desires or the Vikings could place the franchise tag on him. But that’s a topic for another time. For now, Cook is focused on a big season that could up his asking price even more for that next deal.

Alexander Mattison, RB: While Cook was at practice every day, the Vikings limited his carries to preserve him for the season. So Mattison got ample work in August. He proved a worthwhile backup running back last season, and the Vikings still like his production in short-yardage situations. And if the Vikings have to start Mattison because of a Cook injury, they’ve signaled that they’d be comfortable giving the second-year back 20 carries in a game.

Mike Boone, RB: With two games as the starter in the absence of Cook and Mattison last season, Boone delivered up-and-down results. In Week 16 against the Packers, he missed holes that drove coaches crazy. But he was explosive against the Bears in Week 17, amassing 148 rushing yards. He may not have a big role barring injury, but he provides nice depth.

Mike Boone Mike Boone (Robert Hanashiro / USA Today) Ameer Abdullah, RB: Once again, Abdullah was on the roster bubble and found a way to make it. The Vikings really like what he brings on special teams, and he can be a threat on third down, too. He’s not in the clear yet. There’s still a chance he gets cut in favor of a safety. But Abdullah cleared a big hurdle Saturday on his way to a sixth NFL season.

C.J. Ham, FB: After a Pro Bowl season, Ham got a three-year contract that, perhaps most importantly for a fullback, keeps him on a team that values the position. He’s a very good blocker who has drawn the praise of Cook and Kubiak, and the team actually targets him more than most fullbacks, sending him 26 passes last season.

Adam Thielen, WR: For the first time since he became a starter, Thielen doesn’t have Stefon Diggs opposite him. How does it change things now that he’s the for-sure go-to guy? The bet here is that he bounces back from an injury- riddled season with around 1,200 receiving yards.

Bisi Johnson, WR: The 2019 seventh-round pick seemed to take another big step forward in training camp. He’s developed chemistry with Cousins and is an under-the-radar player who could get off to a hot start.

Justin Jefferson, WR: The first-round pick may not yet have overtaken Johnson for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, but he made some highlight-worthy plays in training camp. Kubiak seems set on trying to get Johnson in the slot as much as possible.

Chad Beebe, WR: His issue has never been creating space. It’s rather remarkable, actually, how easily he’s able to shake free from defenders and find an opening, especially on third down. But until he shows that he can limit his drops and stay healthy for a full season, there will be questions.

K.J. Osborn, WR: The Vikings drafted him in the fifth round specifically to return punts, and that’s probably his primary job. But he did enough as a receiver to solidify his spot on the roster. The team hopes Osborn improves their punt return quite a bit.

Tajae Sharpe, WR: The veteran hopes that a fresh start can deliver better results. After an impressive rookie campaign with the Tennessee Titans in 2016, he hasn’t reached more than 329 yards in a season. With the Vikings, he provides depth in the case of injury.

Dan Chisena, WR: It was a whirlwind camp for the speedster who switched from wide receiver to safety, then back to wide receiver. And through it all, he did enough to make the team as an undrafted free agent. His spot isn’t set yet. He’s one of the more likely players to be cut if and when the Vikings sign a safety. But he’s clearly made a big impression in a short period.

Kyle Rudolph, TE: Now the longest-tenured Vikings player, Rudolph, 30, may not have the speed to stretch the field or be a big factor beyond short-yardage situations. But he’s improved his blocking in recent years, remains a threat in the red zone and is still a favorite target of Cousins on third-and-short.

Irv Smith Jr., TE: We often focus on bubble players in training camp and can occasionally overlook those who have made a big impact. Perhaps that’s why more hasn’t been made of Smith Jr., who looks ready for a breakout season. He was a nice addition as a rookie, but a second year in the system seems to have paid dividends.

Irv Smith Jr. Irv Smith Jr. (Brad Rempel / USA Today) Tyler Conklin, TE: It’s a tough spot for Conklin as the third tight end considering how well he played in training camp. He consistently made impressive contested catches over the middle of the field. If he’s needed because of injury, the Vikings have plenty of confidence in him.

Riley Reiff, OT: The leader of the offensive line bid farewell to his teammates in an emotional meeting after the Vikings first broached the subject of a pay cut. He thought at that time that he wasn’t going to be back. But after a day to think things over, Reiff cut his salary by $5 million. He may not be a top-10 left tackle, but he’s plenty serviceable there. This is likely his last season in Minnesota.

Dakota Dozier, G: We won’t be able to say definitively that Dozier won the open competition for left guard until Sept. 13. But it seems pretty likely that he beat out Aviante Collins and Ezra Cleveland. He’s worked with offensive line coach Rick Dennison for a few years now and appears to have finally earned a starting job in his seventh season in the league.

Garrett Bradbury, C: The team’s offensive line may go as far as Bradbury takes them. For the most part, you know what you’re getting from the other four linemen. But Bradbury was so up-and-down as a rookie that it’s hard to know what to expect from him. If he can solidify the Vikings’ interior line, that could go a long way in setting up Cook and Cousins for big seasons.

Pat Elflein, G: He’s struggled the last two seasons at two different positions. But when it seemed the Vikings might cut him because of those issues, Elflein talked them into a position change that he hopes will bring out the best in him. He said he’s more comfortable at right guard than left guard, so the team moved him there. The Vikings have given him several chances to return to the impressive form he had as a rookie. This is likely his final chance.

Brian O’Neill, OT: For a day, it seemed O’Neill might have to slide to left tackle for the first time in his career with less than two weeks to prepare for the position change. But with Reiff back, O’Neill remains at right tackle and has solidified himself as the team’s best lineman. He’s dominated in training camp and is poised for a season that could position him among the best right tackles in football.

Rashod Hill, OT: The Vikings return their talented swing tackle, who is among the best backups in the league. Now in his fifth year, Hill has earned respect from teammates and praise from coaches, including Zimmer.

Oli Udoh, OT: The seventh-round pick from a year ago has had a rather quick and impressive rise. The Vikings kept him off the practice squad a year ago for fear that they may lose him to another team, then watched him play well enough with the second-team offense in camp that they didn’t need to move Ezra Cleveland to tackle. He’s still No. 4 on the offensive tackle depth chart, but there’s reason to have optimism about his trajectory.

Dru Samia, G: On the flip side, Samia certainly hasn’t had the rise that many hoped for when the Vikings selected him in the fourth round last season. He was never really a factor in the competition for the guard job a year ago, then coaches didn’t deem him ready to compete with Dozier and Collins at left guard this season.

Ezra Cleveland, G: The Vikings said all along that it would take time to develop their second-round pick. And unlike with O’Neill, it seems the Vikings were accurate in that assumption. The team moved Cleveland inside to learn guard first, and he was just OK in training camp. He never really pushed for a starting job and is just a backup at this point, though the team still believes he’ll be a good starter down the road.

Minnesota Vikings Kirk Cousins and the offensive line (Hannah Foslien / Getty Images) Defense Danielle Hunter, DE: His absence from almost all of the training practices raised red flags. But the team continues to downplay his injury, signaling it’s just been a cautious move to ensure he doesn’t miss extended time in the regular season. If healthy, he’s still one of the best five at his position.

Shamar Stephen, DT: With Michael Pierce opting out, Stephen likely moves to nose tackle, a spot that plays to his strengths. He’s not great at rushing the passer. But he can stuff the run, and that’s what the Vikings ask of the nose tackle.

Jaleel Johnson, DT: The fourth-year lineman out of Iowa quietly amassed 3.5 sacks last season and is in line for his most playing time yet. It could add up to a breakout year if he can earn consistent playing time.

Yannick Ngakoue, DE: The newest acquisition doesn’t have long to learn the system. But he excels at one thing — rushing the passer. Even if the Vikings have traditionally asked their ends to play the run well, too, they can just turn Ngakoue loose, especially on third down. It’ll be fun to see what Zimmer does to really take advantage of Ngakoue’s skills.

Ifeadi Odenigbo, DE: For most of August, he seemed in line to start at Everson Griffen’s old spot, prompting him to tweet “Fool’s gold” after the Vikings traded for Ngakoue. But he’s one of the best backup defensive ends in football and will likely have a pass-rushing role from the inside on obvious passing downs.

D.J. Wonnum, DE: Defensive line coach Andre Patterson liked Wonnum so much in the draft process that he convinced Rick Spielman to pick him in the fourth round. But Wonnum’s camp wasn’t anything special. He’ll probably start in a depth role and try to learn from Patterson through the season.

Armon Watts, DT: He didn’t get a ton of chances last season, but he always seemed to make plays when he got chances. Now he’s in line for a bigger role. If that trend continues, Watts could be one of the surprise players of 2020.

James Lynch, DT: There were high hopes for the fourth-round pick with some hoping that he’d immediately compete for a starting job. But Lynch struggled to make an impression in training camp and was buried on the depth chart throughout. He may have made the roster because of where he was picked as much as anything else.

Eddie Yarbrough, DE: It’s been a winding path to this point for the 27-year-old who hasn’t started a game since 2017. But he was one of the pleasant surprises of training camp and worked his way onto the roster.

Ifeadi Odenigbo Ifeadi Odenigbo (Brace Hemmelgarn / USA Today) Jalyn Holmes, DE: After the Vikings traded for Ngakoue, it was fair to wonder whether Holmes was going to make the squad. But his ability to play both inside and outside is still important to the Vikings even if he’s worked primarily at defensive end this training camp. With Hunter out for most of the sessions, Holmes got plenty of run with the first- team defense and held his own.

Hercules Mata’afa, DT: The surprise of last year’s offseason, Mata’afa again showed enough to make the initial 53- man roster. He’s still a bit undersized to play on the inside every snap, but he provides a pass-rushing threat there that Zimmer likes.

Eric Kendricks, LB: He’s coming off the best season in his career, one that made him arguably the top middle linebacker in the NFL last season. Repeating that performance will be difficult, but expectations are again sky-high for Kendricks.

Anthony Barr, LB: Every offseason, we seem to talk about whether Barr will rush the passer more. And in doing so, we tend to ignore how well-rounded Barr has become as a player. Will he ever have more than five sacks in a season, something that seemed like a guarantee after his rookie campaign? Maybe not. But he’s still a good linebacker.

Eric Wilson, LB: There was never a question as to whether Wilson was solid in coverage. Few linebackers can run with him and cover safeties and running backs like him. But the best news for the Vikings might be that Wilson has seemingly improved his run defense, too.

Troy Dye, LB: It seemed a bit of a surprising pick in April when the Vikings selected the Oregon product in the fourth round. But it looks like a prudent selection now for a team without much depth there. Dye got ample work in training camp, perhaps more than any other rookie thanks to a roster with few linebackers, and showcased an ability to play well in coverage.

Hardy Nickerson, LB: It’s not often that a player joins a team in the middle of training camp then plays his way onto the 53-man roster. But that’s what Nickerson did. He joined the Vikings two weeks ago, then impressed enough to earn this spot. The 26-year-old has played in 37 career games.

Mike Hughes, CB: After rotating in last season, Hughes is in line for his most playing time yet. The former first-round pick may be asked to occasionally play both on the outside and in the slot. The Vikings have big plans for the 2018 first-round pick.

Holton Hill, CB: Talent has never been the issue with Hill, and that showed again in training camp. For long stretches, he was the team’s best corner. He’s still a little too physical while the ball is in the air and it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s called for a few pass interferences during the season, but he’s shown the ability to be a good corner. Now he just needs to stay out of trouble after two different suspensions last season.

Jeff Gladney, CB: The first-round pick battled all camp with third-round pick Cameron Dantzler and the competition isn’t over. It won’t be a surprise if Zimmer still rotates in his rookie corners until he settles on a combination he likes. Gladney is capable of playing on the outside, but he’ll probably get most of his reps in the slot early in the season.

Jeff Gladney Jeff Gladney (Brad Rempel / USA Today) Cameron Dantzler, CB: No defensive player stood out as much in training camp as Dantzler. He made several big plays and had a stretch of practices that made him the talk of the team. He’s not as consistent as you’d like, but that’s typical of a rookie. It seems he has a very bright future that likely includes a role this season.

Kris Boyd, CB: The second-year corner was largely overshadowed by the two rookies above him on the depth chart, but Boyd is still a very good special-teams player who could factor into the mix at corner if there are injuries.

Harrison Hand, CB: The fifth-round pick didn’t shine in camp the way the two corners drafted before him did, but the Vikings still like the upside Hand provides. And for a team with little safety depth, they may consider moving him there.

Harrison Smith, S: There may not be a player closer to Zimmer than Smith. The two are often talking after drills in practice. Smith could teach a class on Zimmer’s defense. He’s 31 this season, but he remains one of the best safeties in the league.

Anthony Harris, S: Amazingly, Harris still doesn’t get much respect from those around the league. He led the NFL in interceptions last season and is an incredible center-fielding ballhawk for the defense. Still, plenty around the league overlook him. They won’t if he delivers another great season.

Specialists Dan Bailey, K: For once, there was little drama surrounding the Vikings’ kicking game entering the season. Bailey inked a three-year deal in the offseason to stay with the Vikings and was close to perfect on his attempts in training camp.

Britton Colquitt, P: The Vikings kept their special-teams unit intact, signing Colquitt as well. They expect a top-10 performance from him.

Austin Cutting, LS: He snaps the ball a long way. PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 9/6/20

Vikings roster breakdown: Is Dan Chisena really going to stick and what’s the plan at safety?

By Judd Zulgad

The Vikings had to set their 53-man roster by 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, but there are almost certainly more changes to come as general manager Rick Spielman and his crew look over who is available on the waiver wire and whether there are possible trades to be made.

The Vikings also will begin working on assembling their 16-man practice squad — it has been increased in this coronavirus-impacted season — and likely will have much of that set at some point Sunday. Of the 15 draft picks Spielman made in April, nine of them are on the roster and the Vikings did not cut any players they took in the top five rounds.

However, five of their six picks in Rounds 6 and 7 have been cut. Only defensive end Kenny Willekes, who was placed on injured reserve this week, remains with the team. Look for several of those late-round cuts to be signed to the practice squad. That could include seventh-round quarterback Nate Stanley. It also wouldn’t be surprising to see quarterback Jake Browning, an undrafted free agent who spent last year on the Vikings’ practice squad, return on that unit in 2020.

Here’s a look at who made the roster and a comment on each position:

Quarterbacks (2): Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion: Cousins has been an iron man since becoming a full-time starter in 2015 with Washington. His only missed start in that time came in the last regular-season game in 2019 and that was because the Vikings had a playoff position clinched. This season could be different because of concerns about COVID-19. If Cousins gets the virus, Mannion (two career starts in five years) would have to step in. Browning, assuming he returns, would be the logical backup to Mannion. Running backs (4): Ameer Abdullah, Mike Boone, Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison: No surprises here. Cook, who wants a new contract but will be playing on the final season of his rookie deal, will get the majority of the work and figures to get plenty of touches given his ability to catch the ball. Mattison averaged 4.6 yards per rushing attempt last season after being a third-round pick and could be the successor to Cook if he walks after this season. Abdullah and Boone are capable backups. Fullback (1): C.J. Ham: Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak loves having a fullback in his offense and Ham is about as reliable as they come. His top assignment will be to block for Cook but he also will mix in a few receptions. Wide receivers (7): Chad Beebe, Dan Chisena, Justin Jefferson, Bisi Johnson, K.J. Osborn, Tajae Sharpe, Adam Thielen: The surprise here is that Chisena made the roster. The 6-3, 202-pound speedster from Penn State ran a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash as he prepared for the draft and, although he was not selected, the Vikings signed him afterward. Chisena was briefly moved to safety in training camp but was then moved back. Beebe has battled numerous injuries throughout his career but continues to stick on the roster and Osborn, a fifth-round pick, appears set to become the Vikings’ primary return man. Sharpe was signed as a free agent after starting his career with the Titans and there were some who thought Alexander Hollins might beat him out. Hollins, however, was put on waivers and could return on the practice squad. Thielen, Jefferson and Johnson should open the season as Minnesota’s top three wide receivers. Tight ends (3): Tyler Conklin, Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith Jr.: This is a steady group with Smith Jr. likely to take over the top spot on the depth chart. A second-round pick in 2019, don’t be surprised if he has a Pro Bowl season. Rudolph, meanwhile, remains a very effective threat in the red zone. Offensive tackles (4): Rashod Hill, Brian O’Neill, Riley Reiff, Oli Udoh: Reiff’s willingness to agree to a restructured contract for this season will keep him at left tackle, starting opposite O’Neill. Udoh has impressed but it appears Hill will be the primary backup, if something happens to either starter. Guards (4): Ezra Cleveland, Dakota Dozier, Pat Elflein, Dru Samia: The Vikings’ website listed all of the team’s offensive linemen as either guards, tackles or centers, except for Cleveland. He was simply given an OL designation. The second-round pick was drafted with the assumption he would work at left tackle behind Reiff, or maybe challenge for that job, but Cleveland spent training camp at guard and appears to be well down the depth chart entering his rookie season. Dozier beat out Aviante Collins (who was waived) for the left guard spot and Elflein will move from left guard (where things did not go well in 2019) to right guard to begin this season. Samia is the likely top backup, unless another move is made. Center (1): Garrett Bradbury: The Vikings’ first-round pick in 2019 had a rocky rookie season and big improvement will be expected this year. The Vikings waived veteran center Brett Jones, but don’t be surprised if he returns. Defensive ends (5): Danielle Hunter, Yannick Ngakoue, Ifeadi Odenigbo, D.J. Wonnum, Eddie Yarbrough: Hunter missed training camp because of what coach Mike Zimmer called “a minor tweak” but the expectation is that he will be on the field next Sunday for the opener against Green Bay. One of the top defensive ends in the NFL, Hunter will have plenty of help from the right end with Ngakoue coming over in a trade with Jacksonville. The trade means the Vikings can use Odenigbo in a backup role and also inside in passing situations, instead of having him be the replacement for Everson Griffen at right end. Wonnum was a fourth-round pick in the April draft and Yarbrough was signed off the Bills practice squad last December. Defensive tackles (6): Jalyn Holmes, Jaleel Johnson, James Lynch, Hercules Mata’afa, Shamar Stephen, Armon Watts: Michael Pierce’s decision to opt-out because of concerns about COVID-19 means the Vikings’ biggest offseason free-agent signing won’t be playing in 2020 and that creates question marks at nose tackle. It appears as if Stephen will play the nose and Johnson, a fourth-round pick in 2017, will play the 3-technique. Zimmer could get creative inside as well to keep opponents guessing. Linebackers (5): Anthony Barr, Troy Dye, Eric Kendricks, Hardy Nickerson, Eric Wilson: Barr and Kendricks rarely will leave the field and Wilson will be in when the Vikings go with their base defense. Look for Dye and Nickerson to contribute on special teams. Cornerbacks (6): Kris Boyd, Cameron Dantzler, Jeff Gladney, Harrison Hand, Holton Hill, Mike Hughes: Hughes, a first-round pick in 2018, is now the veteran of this group. If he can stay healthy, Hughes figures to play the outside in the base defense and could move inside in the nickel package. Hill also likely will start and Dantzler and/or Gladney will play when the Vikings go to three corners. While that figures to be the plan at first, Gladney (a first-round pick in 2020) and Dantzer (a third-round pick) are likely to push Hill for playing time. Dantzler’s impressive play early in training camp caught the attention of many. Gladney is coming off a meniscus cleanup from the spring so it will be interesting to see how that impacts him. Safeties (2): Anthony Harris, Harrison Smith: Harris and Smith are outstanding but what’s missing here? Oh yeah, backups! Look for a trade or waiver claim on Sunday after the Vikings decided none of the backups they auditioned in camp were good enough to stick. The Vikings could attempt to cut Chisena, if they acquire a safety, and sneak him through to the practice squad after that. Kicker (1): Dan Bailey: The best part of training camp this summer was that you didn’t hear one thing about Bailey. There wasn’t one time that Zimmer expressed his displeasure with his veteran kicker and Bailey will go into this season with zero controversy surrounding his job. Punter (1): Britton Colquitt: Another position at which there was no controversy. Colquitt isn’t only a good punter but he also is a reliable holder. That’s a combination that should put a smile on Zimmer’s face. Long snapper (1): Austin Cutting: My apologies to Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller and ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, who both are likely very disappointed that I don’t have more to say about the long snapper.

PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 9/6/20

Vikings cut to 53: WR Alexander Hollins and guard Aviante Collins among those placed on waivers

By Judd Zulgad

The Vikings had to cut their roster down to 53 players by 3 p.m. Saturday. Here are the players who were were placed on waivers. Linebacker Ben Gedeon was put on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list as well. Some of the below players will be signed to the Vikings’ practice squad in the coming days.

The following players were waived:

Jake Bargas, fullback

Blake Brandel, offensive tackle

Jake Browning, quarterback

Nevelle Clarke, cornerback

Aviante Collins, guard

Quartney Davis, wide receiver

Brandon Dillon, tight end

Myles Dorn, safety

Mark Fields II, cornerback

Nakia Griffin-Stewart, tight end

Kyle Hinton, guard

Alexander Hollins, wide receiver

Brett Jones, center

Jake Lacina, center

Blake Lynch, linebacker

Nate Meadors, cornerback

Josh Metellus, safety

Dillon Mitchell, wide receiver

David Moa, defensive tackle

Steven Parker, safety

David Reese II, linebacker

Nate Stanley, quarterback PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 9/6/20

Zulgad: Nothing to lose: Josh Rosen could have opportunity to quietly revive career with Vikings

By Judd Zulgad

Josh Rosen was selected 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2018 draft with the expectation he could turn into a franchise quarterback. Rosen played 14 games, made 13 starts and the Cardinals went 3-13 in what turned out to be Steve Wilks’ only season as coach. Wilks wasn’t the only one to go. The Cardinals used the first pick in the 2019 draft on Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray and traded Rosen to Miami for draft picks.

Rosen’s second NFL experience didn’t go any better than his first. He played in six games with the Dolphins and made three starts for a 5-11 team that drafted Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa fifth overall in April. Two years into his NFL career, Rosen is 3-13 as a starter, has thrown 12 touchdowns and 19 interceptions and has a 54.8 completion percentage.

He also is looking for a job for the third time in three years. The Dolphins reportedly decided to release Rosen on Friday, meaning they couldn’t even find a team willing to send them a draft pick for a quarterback who is still only 23 years old. Rosen will go on the waiver wire once the move is made official. If he’s not claimed, he will be free to sign with any team that wants him.

That’s the key question. Who is going to want Rosen? He’s spent two years with two terrible NFL teams and, yet, there’s a chance that much of the league already sees him as a flop. Rosen might be happy to simply get a job for the 2020 season, but he also must be careful about where he signs. Jumping at the chance to join a dysfunctional franchise could be the final blow to a career that’s already on the ropes.

Rosen needs to go a team that has stability at quarterback, where he can be a forgotten man with no pressure on him and where there is a strong infrastructure in place. These are all reasons why the Minnesota Vikings could be a good fit for Rosen to enter the NFL’s version of the witness protection program.

The Vikings have Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback and Sean Mannion as his backup. They reportedly were set to waive Jake Browning and Nate Stanley in the cut down to 53 players on Saturday and it’s likely one, if not both, will be signed to the expanded practice squad unit of 16 players.

The thing is in a season that already has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, there is an opportunity to give a guy like Rosen a legitimate shot to get his career on track. Carrying three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster wouldn’t be the worst idea, considering every team should have a plan in place in case its starter contracts COVID- 19. The Vikings could be faced with having to start Mannion in the blink of an eye and then who would be behind him? Having Rosen in that role wouldn’t be the worst thing.

If the Vikings really didn’t want to use one of their 53 roster spots on another quarterback, Rosen also could be signed to the team’s practice squad. This would be a definite blow to his ego, but, again, Rosen needs to put himself in a position to learn and not worry about an immediate payday (he was going to make $750,000 this season) or his status on the roster. There would be no downside to Rosen being stashed away on the practice squad for a year and the opportunity to learn in Kubiak’s system would only help.

Cameron Wolfe, who covers the Dolphins for ESPN, wrote this about Rosen: For Rosen, the question has not been talent. (Miami coach Brian) Flores said Rosen had the best arm of all the quarterbacks in camp, but Rosen fell behind when it came to the processing part of football — identifying defenses pre-snap, being able to predict changing coverages and linebackers shifting, and ultimately being able to let the ball fly accurately and on time. Those are all skills Rosen has spent time working on this offseason in Miami.

Rosen might never come close to being the quarterback that some projected when he left UCLA and he could end up being in a long line of first-round busts that includes former Viking Christian Ponder. But, as Wolfe pointed out, Rosen also is roughly 60 days younger than LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, whom the Bengals’ took first overall in April. The areas in which Rosen is struggling to develop can take time and trying to do it with two bad teams in two years isn’t a formula for success.

Who knows? Maybe Rosen belongs in the XFL or out of football entirely. But having Kubiak and his staff work with him behind the scenes for a year to determine if there might be something there seems like it could be an inexpensive chance worth taking.

PUBLICATION: Purple Insider 9/6/20

Breaking down Vikings' final cuts and projecting the depth chart

By Matthew Coller

In years past the Minnesota Vikings have had a last-second surprise on cutdown day a la Alex Boone in 2017 or Brian Robison in 2018. With a young-ish roster, the Vikings did not have a shocker in store this year but they did make some very interesting choices on Saturday. Let’s have a look…

Biggest surprise cuts: WR Alexander Hollins, G Aviante Collins, S Josh Metellus — If there was any player who could be described as a “camp riser,” it would have been Alexander Hollins, who made plays on a daily basis during the three-week period of practices open to the media. He caught an impressive bomb during the team’s scrimmage at US Bank Stadium and figured to have a chance as a deep threat.

But the Vikings chose Chad Beebe instead. They have always seen Beebe as a Jarius Wright type whose quickness allows him to get open over the middle of the field and on short out routes etc. He’ll likely be used in four-receiver sets on third downs. The added bonus of Beebe is that they view him as having some special teams ability as a punt returner.

Odds are that no other team picks up Hollins and he lands on the practice squad where he will be next-man-up if any receiver gets hurt or he could be one of the extra players who can be elevated this year with new rules. Does any team go an entire year without a receiver injury? Not often. So big Hollins fans shouldn’t be too concerned.

— Each camp there’s a guy who practices with the first team all summer and then gets cut. Anyone remember Datone Jones? This time around that guy was Aviante Collins. Nobody has been given more opportunities than him to earn a spot. He was picked up as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and found his way onto the field a handful of times over the last few seasons but could never put together the technical parts to go along with his athletic scores from the Combine.

Now Ezra Cleveland is the backup left guard, meaning he’s still potentially in line to take over for Dakota Dozier if things go sideways. It was a roundabout way of getting to the same spot we expected.

— Maybe the Vikings should have kept Andrew Sendejo around as a backup because they were clearly not pleased with the performances of their backup safeties. They cut both players who had been on the second team in Josh Metellus and Myles Dorn, releases Brian Cole before cutdown day, cut free agent signee Steven Parker, cut Nate Meadors and even worked out George Iloka at one point.

Biggest surprises to make the team: WR Dan Chisena, DE Eddie Yarbrough, CB Harrison Hand — The Vikings always kept a spot open for Marcus Sherels as a pure special teamer. Now that role goes to Dan Chisena, though he isn’t a returner but rather an impact player on coverage units. While it may seem odd to keep a punt gunner, the Vikings’ coverage units were not where special teams coach Marwan Maalouf wanted them to be last year and Chisena was an ace special teamer in college at Penn State. If you think it’s nuts, the Patriots have had Matthew Slater on their club since 2008 and he has one career reception.

— In two preseason games against the Bills, Eddie Yarbrough put together nice performances against the Vikings, which likely played into them signing the 27-year-old journeyman D-end. Without any preseason games to shine, he still put together strong enough camp practices to earn a job as a situational pass rusher (and special teamer).

As well as he did in camp, Yarbrough’s inclusion puts the status of Danielle Hunter in question for Week 1. We’ll see if he’s only on the team early in the year with Hunter hurt or if he’s a full-time backup.

— How many corners the Vikings would keep was always a question since they had a crowded room with three rookies to go along with Holton Hill, Mike Hughes and Kris Boyd. They must have seen some special teams ability in Harrison Hand to keep him on the 53-man roster or figured that he might be plucked off the roster by another team if they tried to sneak him through waivers.

Notes on other cuts/keeps: — Guard Kyle Hinton, a seventh-round pick, is a player they always saw as a project with upside but a long shot to be ready right away.

— Now that teams can put veterans on the practice squad, expect Brett Jones to land the practice squad.

— After wondering about James Lynch and Jalyn Holmes’s status, they both end up on the 53. Lynch was a fourth- round draft pick who didn’t get any run with the first or second team during camp, leaving the door open for questions about his status.

When the Vikings acquired Yannick Ngakoue, it was fair to wonder if they would move on from their 2018 fourth- rounder Holmes but his size may slot him into a run-stuffing role.

— The Vikings have whiffed on bottom-of-the-barrel receiver free agents before but this time Tajae Sharpe appears to be a hit. We’ll see what type of role he fits into as the season goes along.

— With as much as the Vikings love tight ends, there may have been a case for keeping Brandon Dillon, who made the team out of camp last year and then was on the practice squad for most of the season. He’s likely to end up there again this year.

Here’s what the depth chart looks like post-cutdown: QB: Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion

RB: Dalvin Cook, C.J. Ham (FB), Alexander Mattison, Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah

WR: Adam Thielen, Bisi Johnson, Justin Jefferson, Chad Beebe, Tajae Sharpe, K.J. Osborn, Dan Chisena

TE: Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith Jr., Tyler Conklin

OL: Riley Reiff, Dakota Dozier, Garrett Bradbury, Pat Elflein, Brian O'Neill, Rashod Hill, Oli Udoh, Ezra Cleveland, Dru Samia

DL: Danielle Hunter, Yannick Ngakoue, Jaleel Johnson, Shamar Stephen, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Jalyn Holmes, Armon Watts, Hercules Mata'afa, James Lynch, Eddie Yarbrough, DJ Wonnum

LB: Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, Eric Wilson, Troy Dye, Hardy Nickerson Jr., Ben Gedeon (PUP)

S: Harrison Smith, Anthony Harris

CB: Mike Hughes, Holton Hill, Cameron Dantzler, Jeff Gladney, Kris Boyd, Harrison Hand

Specialists: Dan Bailey, Britton Colquitt, Austin Cutting

What could happen next? The 53-man roster rarely stays in its Saturday form for more than a day or two with hundreds of players being released around the league.

— Will they really keep seven receivers and 11 defensive linemen? That seems unlikely.

— The Vikings need at least one backup safety, maybe two. Would Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix be on their radar after he was released by the Cowboys?

— It seems very unlikely the Vikings will look at Josh Rosen, though it makes some sense with the fact he’s still only 23 years old and might need a Kubiak-style scheme to succeed.

— Will they keep two quarterbacks on the practice squad? It seems like a good idea in a bizarre COVID year as an in-case-of-emergency.

— Could any potential practice squaders get poached? Alexander Hollins and Josh Metellus seem like there’s a chance but it doesn’t happen that often, especially with no preseason games to scout.

Projecting the practice squad Here’s a guess at it:

Jake Browning, Nate Stanley, Jake Bargas, Alexander Hollins, Quartney Davis, Blake Brandel, Brett Jones, Kyle Hinton, Brandon Dillon, Josh Metellus, Myles Dorn, Blake Lynch, David Reese II, Nevelle Clarke and two mystery players we don’t know yet. PUBLICATION: Associated Press DATE: 9/6/20

Vikings put LB Gedeon on PUP; 9 draft picks on active roster

By Dave Campbell

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings placed linebacker Ben Gedeon on the physically unable to perform list Saturday as part of their paring the roster down for the regular season.

Gedeon, a fourth-year player who was in the starting lineup in the base 4-3 defense for 22 games over the past three seasons, has been waiting for clearance to practice after concussion symptoms dogged him in 2019 and limited him to eight games.

The Vikings waived 22 players, with the majority of them expected to be part of the expanded 16-man practice squad. None of the cuts were considered surprising. Backup center Brett Jones was the only vested veteran who had his contract terminated, leaving 2019 first-round draft pick Garrett Bradbury as the lone center among nine offensive linemen kept on the initial 53-man roster. Right guard Pat Elflein played center his first two seasons in the league. Aviante Collins was also let go, meaning Dakota Dozier will be the starter at left guard.

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The Vikings had 15 draft picks this year, the most in the NFL since the event was reduced to seven rounds in 1994, and nine of them made the active roster. Defensive end Kenny Willekes, a seventh-rounder, was placed injured reserve with a lower body injury earlier in the week. All of the draft picks they waived were sixth or seventh-round selections.

The only undrafted rookie to make the initial roster was wide receiver Dan Chisena, a late-blooming track and field star at Penn State who spent some time at safety during training camp but switched back to offense this week. Chisena was one of seven wide receivers retained, including two other rookies, first-round pick Justin Jefferson and fifth-round selection K.J. Osborn, who is on track to be the primary punt returner.

Adam Thielen, Bisi Johnson, Tajaé Sharpe and Chad Beebe are the other wide receivers on the roster, with the Vikings trying to overcome the departure via trade of Stefon Diggs.

The Vikings waived quarterbacks Jake Browning and Nate Stanley, leaving Sean Mannion as the only backup on the roster behind Kirk Cousins, but at least one of them will surely land on the practice squad. Both Ameer Abdullah and Mike Boone made the roster behind Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, giving the Vikings four tailbacks plus Pro Bowl fullback C.J. Ham.

Boosted by the acquisition last weekend of defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, the Vikings still kept 11 defensive linemen. They retained six cornerbacks at the youngest position on their team, too, with Mike Hughes, Holton Hill, Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler, Kris Boyd and Harrison Hand all 23 years old or younger. Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris are the only safeties for now, but a backup will more than likely be signed this week as teams adjust their initial rosters after surveying the pool of players let go across the league. The Vikings host Green Bay in their season opener Sept. 13. PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 9/6/20

Minnesota Vikings 2020 Roster Cuts: An Updated List

By Will Ragatz

Here's a look at all of the players who have been cut by the Vikings today.

S Josh Metellus

Metellus was a sixth-round pick out of Michigan this year. He seems like a strong candidate for the practice squad.

QB Jake Browning

QB Nate Stanley

The Vikings are waiving their third and fourth quarterbacks, keeping only Kirk Cousins and Sean Mannion on the 53- man roster. They reportedly want to keep both Browning and Stanley on the practice squad. That way, both players can continue to develop and will be available in a pinch if one of the top two gets hurt or tests positive for COVID-19.

C Jake Lacina

The Division II Rimington winner last year, Lacina was the Vikings' No. 3 center in training camp. His dad, Corbin Lacina, played for the Vikings from 1999-2002. They want to bring him back for the practice squad.

TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart

TE Brandon Dillon

The Vikings are only keeping three tight ends this year after keeping four last year. Dillon will likely return for the practice squad if he clears waivers.

DT David Moa

S Steven Parker

S Myles Dorn

The Vikings are waiving three of the six safeties on their roster in Metellus, Parker, and Dorn. That leaves Nate Meadors as the only backup safety currently on the roster. That means the team will look to add a safety from outside of the building, perhaps via waivers. George Iloka could be a possibility.

WR Alexander Hollins

This is a surprising one. Hollins had a great camp, but the Vikings are keeping Chad Beebe and Dan Chisena on the 53-man roster instead. Hollins seems like a lock for the practice squad, but there's a possibility he won't clear waivers.

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LB Blake Lynch

This means the battle for the Vikings' No. 5 linebacker job (assuming they keep that many) is down to Hardy Nickerson Jr. and David Reese II, both of whom were mid-camp pickups. UDFAs Lynch and Jordan Fehr could be practice squad candidates.

OL Aviante Collins

Here's another notable one. Collins was competing with Dakota Dozier for the Vikings' starting left guard job and also has experience playing tackle. However, the 27-year-old hasn't been able to emerge thus far in his Vikings career. He could be kept on the practice squad because of the new rules allowing teams to keep up to six veterans on the PS.

FB Jake Bargas

The backup to C.J. Ham, Bargas seems like a lock for the practice squad.

G Kyle Hinton

The Vikings made four picks in the seventh round this year, and none of them will be on the 53-man roster to start the year. Brian Cole II was waived earlier in camp, Kenny Willekes is on injured reserve, and both Stanley and Hinton will be waived today. Hinton seems like another strong candidate for the PS.

CB Mark Fields II

With rookie Harrison Hand making the 53-man roster as the No. 6 cornerback, Fields and Nevelle Clarke are probably pushed to the practice squad. There hasn't yet been a report about Clarke being waived, though.

C Brett Jones

The Vikings are waiving their backup center. He could be one of the veterans on the practice squad.

CB Nevelle Clarke

The Vikings are waiving Clarke, who was one of their top-performing UDFAs in camp. He's definitely a practice squad candidate.

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CB/S Nate Meadors

The Vikings have cut all four of their backup safeties now. They're actively searching for players to add at that position.

OT Blake Brandel

WR Dillon Mitchell

WR Quartney Davis

LB David Reese II

PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 9/6/20

Minnesota Vikings Initial 2020 53-Man Roster

By Will Ragatz

The cutdown deadline has come and gone, and the Vikings finally have an initial 53-man roster set for the 2020 season. Things can and will change in the coming days, but this is where things stand right now.

The following players have been waived:

LB Jordan Fehr DE Stacy Keely DE Anthony Zettel RB Tony Brooks-James QB Jake Browning QB Nate Stanley C Jake Lacina TE Brandon Dillon TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart DT David Moa S Josh Metellus S Steven Parker S Myles Dorn WR Alexander Hollins LB Blake Lynch LB David Reese II G/T Aviante Collins G Kyle Hinton C Brett Jones T Blake Brandel FB Jake Bargas CB Nevelle Clarke CB Mark Fields II CB/S Nate Meadors WR Quartney Davis WR Dillon Mitchell LB Ben Gedeon remains on the PUP list, meaning he will miss at least the first six games of the season. DE Kenny Willekes and LB Cameron Smith are on injured reserve.

Vikings Initial 53-Man Roster QB (2): Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion

RB (5): Dalvin Cook, C.J. Ham (FB), Alexander Mattison, Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah

WR (7): Adam Thielen, Bisi Johnson, Justin Jefferson, Chad Beebe, Tajae Sharpe, Dan Chisena, K.J. Osborn

TE (3): Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith Jr., Tyler Conklin

OL (9): Riley Reiff, Dakota Dozier, Garrett Bradbury, Pat Elflein, Brian O'Neill, Rashod Hill, Oli Udoh, Ezra Cleveland, Dru Samia

DL (11): Danielle Hunter, Yannick Ngakoue, Jaleel Johnson, Shamar Stephen, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Armon Watts, Hercules Mata'afa, James Lynch, Eddie Yarbrough, D.J. Wonnum, Jalyn Holmes

LB (5): Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, Eric Wilson, Troy Dye, Hardy Nickerson Jr.

S (2): Harrison Smith, Anthony Harris

CB (6): Mike Hughes, Holton Hill, Cameron Dantzler, Jeff Gladney, Kris Boyd, Harrison Hand

Specialists (3): Dan Bailey, Britton Colquitt, Austin Cutting PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 9/6/20

Chad Beebe, Dan Chisena Set to Make Vikings 53-Man Roster

By Will Ragatz

A couple early surprises on the Vikings' 53-man roster are wide receivers Chad Beebe and Dan Chisena. Multiple reports have indicated that both players are set to make the team ahead of this afternoon's 3 p.m. cutdown deadline.

Beebe isn't a shocking choice, considering how highly offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has spoken of the third-year receiver in recent weeks. But the fact that he beat out Alexander Hollins still comes as a surprise. Hollins had a fantastic camp and seemed to be putting himself in line to make the active roster.

Instead, the Vikings are going with Beebe. The 2018 UDFA from Northern Illinois has stood out in training camp over the past few years, but hasn't been able to stay healthy during the regular season. If he is able to avoid injury this season, he gives the Vikings someone who can separate in the slot.

The bigger surprise here is that Chisena is set to make the 53-man roster. The former Penn State track star recently switched from wide receiver to safety and then back to wide receiver a few days later, which didn't seem like a great sign at the time. But the Vikings love what he brings on special teams, especially as a punt gunner.

Beebe and Chisena making the roster could be bad news for Tajae Sharpe. Assuming K.J. Osborn makes the team as a returner, the Vikings might be unlikely to keep Sharpe as their seventh WR. PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 9/6/20

Vikings To Waive Jake Browning and Nate Stanley, Want Both on Practice Squad

By Will Ragatz

It's not official yet, but the Vikings will be waiving quarterbacks Jake Browning and Nate Stanley, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. They want to keep both guys on the practice squad if they clear waivers.

Given the unique circumstances of this season, it's not surprising that the Vikings want to keep four quarterbacks in their building. There's no way to avoid the possibility that Kirk Cousins or Sean Mannion could test positive for COVID-19, which would create the need for the Vikings to call up an additional quarterback. Having two guys available who know the offense would make things easier in that area.

As expected, this means the backup job belongs to Mannion for another year. He had a solid camp and was clearly above Browning and Stanley throughout all of the practices that media members were able to watch. Mannion isn't a particularly inspiring backup QB from an on-field perspective, but the Vikings like what he brings to the room in meetings and film study.

Cousins has never missed a game since becoming a starter five years ago, so the Vikings are banking on having their starter healthy all year once again.

Browning was one of the Vikings' top undrafted free agents in 2019, receiving over $100,000 guaranteed to sign with Minnesota. Stanley, meanwhile, was a late seventh-round pick in April. The Vikings want both guys to continue to develop on the practice squad.

PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 9/6/20

Vikings Waive Rookie Safety Josh Metellus, May Pursue Veteran Depth

By Will Ragatz

The Vikings' first of 22 cuts today has been reported. The team is releasing rookie safety Josh Metellus, who they drafted in the sixth round out of Michigan in April, according to Adam Schefter.

It's a somewhat surprising cut to start the day. My final 53-man roster prediction included Metellus, who had gotten a lot of work with the second team during camp. I think most writers covering the Vikings also had Metellus making the team.

That leaves the Vikings with just five safeties on their roster: stars Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris and backups Nate Meadors, Myles Dorn, and Steven Parker. Each of those three backups entered the league as an undrafted free agent over the past three years.

Given their lack of experienced depth at safety, I would expect the Vikings to potentially be active on waivers in looking for a veteran at the position. The team brought in players like Jahleel Addae and George Iloka for workouts in recent weeks and will be watching closely to see which players are released by the other 31 teams.

The Vikings lost Andrew Sendejo and Jayron Kearse in free agency this offseason, leaving them thin at safety behind their elite starting duo.

Metellus seems like a strong candidate to be added to the practice squad if he clears waivers. The 205th overall pick in April had a standout career at Michigan that included five interceptions and nine tackles for loss. He's slightly undersized at 5'11" but makes up for that with toughness and instincts.

PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 9/6/20

On the Roster: A Look at the Vikings Initial 53 for 2020

By Craig Peters and Eric Smith

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings initial 53-man roster announced Saturday includes 26 players on offense, 24 players on defense and three specialists.

The list includes seven receivers and 11 defensive linemen, which are positional records during Head Coach Mike Zimmer's tenure. It also has just eight defensive backs, which is the fewest since Zimmer's hire in 2014.

The 53-man roster was formed when Minnesota made multiple roster moves, cutting 22 players and placing linebacker Ben Gedeon on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List. The former fourth-round pick did not practice during Verizon Vikings Training Camp.

It is worth noting that more moves could occur. All teams were required to reduce their rosters from this year's camp maximum of 80 players to 53, which means more than 800 players were waived during roster reductions across the league.

Vikings 2020 Roster in Photos View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of September 5, 2020.

RELATED LINKS Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Initial 53-Man Roster Vikings 2020 Roster in Photos Here's a position-by-position look at who made the initial 53, compared to what the Vikings have done in previous years under Zimmer.

(all players listed alphabetical by last name)

Quarterback

Number of players kept:

2020: 2

2019: 2

2018: 3

2017: 2

2016: 2

2015: 3

2014: 3

On the Roster: Kirk Cousins and Sean Mannion

The Vikings will head into the 2020 season with plenty of stability at quarterback, as Cousins enters his third season as the starter in Minnesota.

The 32-year-old arguably had the best season of his career in 2019 when he posted a career-high passer rating of 107.4 and earned a Pro Bowl nod. He also completed 307 of 444 passes (69.1 completion percentage) for 3,603 yards, with 26 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Minnesota has tailored its offense to what Cousins does best — using play action and moving the pocket. The hope is for continuity to help Cousins raise his game even more in 2020.

Mannion will be his backup for a second consecutive season. The 28-year-old made one start in 2019 but is an invaluable resource for Cousins during the week of preparation for games and by offering feedback on the sidelines.

Vikings Roster Reaction and Analysis: Ron Johnson Running back

Number of players kept:

2020: 4

2019: 4

2018: 4

2017: 3

2016: 3

2015: 3

2014: 3

On the Roster: Ameer Abdullah, Mike Boone, Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison

Cook is the focal point of the offense and proved to be one of the league's top playmakers with his Pro Bowl season in 2019. The do-it-all running back racked up 1,654 yards from scrimmage (seventh in the NFL), which included 1,135 rushing yards. He also added 13 rushing touchdowns.

There is plenty of depth behind Cook, however, as Mattison appears poised for a strong second season. He rushed for 462 yards and a score on 100 carries as a rookie and forms a solid 1-2 punch with Cook.

Boone also made plays when called upon in 2019 and can help out on special teams, too. Abdullah was Minnesota's kick returner in 2019 and could be a candidate there again.

Fullback

Number of players kept:

2020: 1

2019: 1

2018: 1

2017: 1

2016: 1

2015: 1

2014: 2

On the Roster: C.J. Ham

Ham has been one of the Vikings most reliable players in recent seasons and was rewarded with his first Pro Bowl honor in 2019. The Vikings want to establish the run early and often against opponents, and the Minnesota native is a vital piece of the offense for his blocking and ability to catch and carry the football.

Vikings 2020 Coaching Staff View photos of the Vikings 2020 coaching staff.

Wide receiver

Number of players kept:

2020: 7

2019: 4

2018: 5

2017: 6

2016: 6

2015: 6

2014: 5

On the Roster: Chad Beebe, Dan Chisena, Justin Jefferson, Bisi Johnson, K.J. Osborn, Tajaé Sharpe and Adam Thielen

The Vikings have kept seven wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster, the most since Zimmer arrived in 2014.

The group is led by Thielen, who looked fantastic in camp and is ready to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2019 season.

There is strong depth behind him, too, as Johnson and Jefferson each flashed in camp. Johnson looks much improved after being a seventh-round rookie in 2019, while Jefferson progressed nicely after he was a 2020 first- round selection.

Sharpe joined the Vikings as a free agent in the offseason and offers a veteran presence with 92 career catches for 1,167 yards and eight scores.

Osborn is a fifth-round rookie who is expected to be a key player on special teams, especially as a returner.

Chisena is the feel-good story of camp, as the undrafted free agent (and former track star) out of Penn State is on the initial 53-man roster. He might be the team's fastest player, which could come into play on special teams.

Tight end

Number of players kept:

2020: 3

2019: 4

2018: 3

2017: 3

2016: 4

2015: 4

2014: 2

On the Roster: Tyler Conklin, Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith, Jr.

As with other positions on offense, the Vikings have continuity at tight end, too. Rudolph is the veteran leader who had 39 receptions for 367 yards and six scores in 2019.

Smith has generated plenty of buzz in training camp and could be in line for a major role in the offense in 2020. He had 36 catches for 311 yards and a pair of scores as a rookie in 2019, and he made plenty of splash plays in camp.

Conklin will also have a valuable role, especially with how the Vikings like to line up in multiple tight end sets. He is reliable in both the run and the pass game and does the dirty work to help make Minnesota's offense go.

Offensive line

Number of players kept:

2020: 9

2019: 10

2018: 9

2017: 9

2016: 9

2015: 9

2014: 9

On the Roster: Garrett Bradbury, Ezra Cleveland, Dakota Dozier, Pat Elflein, Rashod Hill, Brian O'Neill, Riley Reiff, Dru Samia and Oli Udoh

The Vikings are returning plenty of familiar faces on the offensive line, as eight of the nine players are back from a season ago.

That includes four starters in tackles Reiff and O'Neill, Bradury at center and Elflein at right guard (he played left guard in 2019). Dozier won the starting left guard gig in camp and has history with Vikings offensive line coach Rick Dennison.

It's worth nothing those five starters played three games together in 2019, with Elflein at left guard and Dozier at right guard.

Hill is a veteran swing tackle and is among the league's top backup options at that spot. Samia and Udoh essentially had redshirt seasons as rookies in 2019, and both showed signs of progression in camp.

Cleveland is the lone rookie of the group. The 22-year-old second-round pick played left tackle at Boise State but spent the entirety of camp at left guard with the second team.

Defensive line

Number of players kept:

2020: 11

2019: 10

2018: 9

2017: 9

2016: 8

2015: 9

2014: 8

On the Roster: Jalyn Holmes, Danielle Hunter, Jaleel Johnson, James Lynch, Hercules Mata'afa, Yannick Ngakoue, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Shamar Stephen, Armon Watts, D.J. Wonnum and Eddie Yarbrough

Hunter has established himself as a premiere defensive end with 14.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons and impressiveness against the run. Although he hasn't practiced since Aug. 14, he'll be joined by a fellow Pro Bowler in Ngakoue, who arrived in Minnesota this week after a trade with Jacksonville.

Ngakoue on Friday explained how he wants to join other Vikings greats. Odenigbo was repping with the first team opposite Hunter (and then Holmes) during training camp. Holmes shed pounds in moving from DT to DE. Odenigbo and Holmes have experience inside and on the edge of the line.

Yarbrough, who joined Minnesota after he was waived by Buffalo late last season, and Wonnum are newcomers on the edge.

Inside, the Vikings have variety and versatility. Stephen is far more appreciated by teammates than anyone might fathom from a stat sheet and is embracing the nose tackle position. Johnson has developed since his selection in the fourth round in 2017 and could be the likely starter at the 3-technique.

Mata'afa brings an interesting dynamic as an interior rusher, and Watts shined under bright lights when he needed to step in as a rookie. Lynch is learning the NFL ropes inside after a highly productive career while usually playing a different technique at Baylor.

Linebacker

2020: 5

2019: 5

2018: 5

2017: 6

2016: 7

2015: 6

2014: 8

On the Roster: Anthony Barr, Troy Dye, Eric Kendricks, Hardy Nickerson and Eric Wilson

Barr and Kendricks have been a dynamic duo since their days at UCLA and for the past five seasons in Minnesota. Barr has four Pro Bowls to his credit, and Kendricks has led the Vikings in tackles for five consecutive seasons, the last of which resulted in an All-Pro designation.

Wilson has gone from special teams demon — he probably will still factor in greatly there — to an impressive third linebacker in base and more-than-capable backup if needed.

Dye was selected in the fourth round, and Nickerson quickly impressed after the Vikings claimed him off waivers in August.

Defensive back

2020: 8

2019: 10

2018: 11

2017: 11

2016: 10

2015: 9

2014: 10

On the Roster: Kris Boyd, Cameron Dantzler, Jeff Gladney, Harrison Hand, Anthony Harris, Holton Hill, Mike Hughes and Harrison Smith

Minnesota has no questions whatsoever about Smith and Harris, who have a strong claim as the NFL's best tandem of safeties, but the roster is bare behind them — for now. Minnesota is likely to comb the waiver wire to add depth.

As for cornerbacks, the youth movement has been a hot topic, but the inexperienced cornerbacks group has garnered plenty of positive assessments from Zimmer and others.

Hughes (five starts) and Hill (four starts) have the most experience. Dantzler handled his own and then some with the first team when the Vikings used three cornerbacks. Fellow 2020 draft classmates Gladney and Hand also had solid first camps, even though Gladney just had meniscus surgery after the combine. Boyd impressed on special teams as a rookie and is continuing to grow.

Specialists

Number of players kept:

2020: 3

2019: 3

2018: 3

2017: 3

2016: 3

2015: 3

2014: 3

On the Roster: K Dan Bailey, P Britton Colquitt and LS Austin Cutting

Colquitt was one of the best post-cut finds a year ago. Minnesota snagged the colorful punter after his release by Cleveland. He turned in a strong season at punter and excelled as a holder, linking the rookie Cutting's snaps to the veteran Bailey's foot.

Bailey closed the regular season with 19 consecutive made field goals and added three more in the playoffs. He was a perfect 20-for-20 on kicks during team periods that were open to the media during this year's camp. PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 9/6/20

Vikings Announce Roster Moves, Set Initial 53-Man Roster

By Craig Peters and Eric Smith

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Saturday announced multiple roster moves, reducing the number of players to the regular-season maximum of 53.

Linebacker Ben Gedeon was placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list.

Vikings 2020 Roster in Photos View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of September 5, 2020.

RELATED LINKS On the Roster: A Look at the Vikings Initial 53 for 2020 Vikings 2020 Roster in Photos Vikings 2020 Coaching Staff 2020 Schedule in Photos The Vikings waived the following players (listed alphabetically by last name):

Jake Bargas, FB

Blake Brandel, T

Jake Browning, QB

Nevelle Clarke, CB

Aviante Collins, G

Quartney Davis, WR

Brandon Dillon, TE

Myles Dorn, S

Mark Fields II, CB

Nakia Griffin-Stewart, TE

Kyle Hinton, G

Alexander Hollins, WR

Brett Jones, C

Jake Lacina, C

Blake Lynch, LB

Nate Meadors, CB

Josh Metellus, S

Dillon Mitchell, WR

David Moa, DT

Steven Parker, S

David Reese II, LB

Nate Stanley, QB

Vikings Roster Reaction and Analysis: Pete Bercich The Vikings initial 53-man roster (grouped by position and listed alphabetically) follows.

Quarterbacks (2)

Kirk Cousins

Sean Mannion

Running backs/fullback (5)

Ameer Abdullah

Mike Boone

Dalvin Cook

C.J. Ham, FB

Alexander Mattison

Wide Receivers (7)

Chad Beebe

Dan Chisena

Justin Jefferson

Bisi Johnson

K.J. Osborn

Tajaé Sharpe

Adam Thielen

Tight ends (3)

Tyler Conklin

Kyle Rudolph

Irv Smith, Jr.

Offensive linemen (9)

Garrett Bradbury

Ezra Cleveland

Dakota Dozier

Pat Elflein

Rashod Hill

Brian O'Neill

Riley Reiff

Dru Samia

Olisaemeka Udoh

Defensive linemen (11)

Jalyn Holmes

Danielle Hunter

Jaleel Johnson

James Lynch

Hercules Mata'afa

Yannick Ngakoue

Ifeadi Odenigbo

Shamar Stephen

Armon Watts

D.J. Wonnum

Eddie Yarbrough

Linebackers (5)

Anthony Barr

Troy Dye

Eric Kendricks

Hardy Nickerson

Eric Wilson

Cornerbacks (6)

Kris Boyd

Cameron Dantzler

Jeff Gladney

Harrison Hand

Holton Hill

Mike Hughes

Safeties (2)

Anthony Harris

Harrison Smith

Specialists (3)

Dan Bailey, K

Britton Colquitt, P

Austin Cutting, LS

The Vikings are scheduled to announce their 16-player practice squad on Sunday.

All teams can place waiver claims on any players who have been released.