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Returning to Minnesota
Sat, Sep 5, 2026, 6:58 PM
Smith signed a one-year contract worth up to a maximum of $16.25 million with the Vikings on Saturday, Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Smith has been a mainstay with Minnesota's defense since he was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the organization in 2012. The 36-year-old logged 54 tackles, including 1.0 sacks, along with 10 defensed passes (including two interceptions), a forced fumbled and a recovered fumble across 15 regular-season games (12 starts) last year. Smith will presumably be penciled in as Minnesota's starter at free safety as he enters his 15th pro campaign. |
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Kyler Murray Kyler Murray Plays six preseason snaps
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 10:58 AM
Murray played six snaps during Minnesota's three-game preseason slate.
Analysis: After completing two of his three pass attempts for 10 yards against the Giants in the preseason opener, Murray took a seat and parked it for the remainder of the exhibition season. Coach Kevin O'Connell settled on Murray as the Vikings' starter before training camp, and he's expected to have a long leash under center this season after J.J. McCarthy continued to look overmatched throughout the 2025 campaign. Murray has big upside in this quarterback-friendly scheme and has arguably the best supporting cast of his career. He's an ideal late-round fantasy target at quarterback. |
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Jauan Jennings Jauan Jennings Sits out final two preseason contests
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 10:15 AM
Jennings played four snaps in the Vikings' 13-10 preseason win over the Giants before being held out for rest purposes in the final two exhibition tilts.
Analysis: Signed to a one-year, $8 million deal in May, Jennings is locked in as the Vikings' No. 3 receiver and didn't need to compete for a job during the preseason. With San Francisco last season, Jennings primarily operated as the "X" receiver and turned in a 55-643-9 receiving line on 90 targets over his 15 appearances. Since Justin Jefferson typically occupies the X spot for Minnesota and Jordan Addison mainly works as the "Z" receiver, Jennings could end up seeing most of his time out of the slot with his new squad. While a slot role can often lead to catchable, higher-percentage targets, Jefferson remains the unquestioned No. 1 option in the passing game regardless of where he lines up, and Addison is capable of bumping inside and seems likely play ahead of Jennings in two-wide formations. Moreover, Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray hasn't had an extensive track record of supporting more than one fantasy viable pass catcher during his seven-year career, so Jennings could struggle to attain consistent week-to-week volume while he's vying with the likes of Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson for the remaining targets that don't go to Jefferson. |
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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson Nabs TD in final camp practice
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 9:55 AM
Hockenson recorded a touchdown reception from Kyler Murray during the Vikings' final training camp practice Aug. 26, Andrew Krammer of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Hockenson played just five snaps in the Vikings' preseason opener and was rested for the final two exhibition tilts, but he's been getting in reps with the first-team offense throughout camp. After a delayed start to the 2024 campaign while he completed his recovery from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, Hockenson mostly stayed healthy in 2025 but was a middling fantasy option at tight end with a 51-438-3 receiving line on 66 targets over 15 games. Though Hockenson should benefit from upgraded quarterback play in 2026 after drawing targets from the likes of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer a season ago, the closest Murray has come to supporting two fantasy relevant pass catchers was in 2024, when tight end Trey McBride (111-1,146-2 line in 16 games) and wideout Marvin Harrison (62-885-8 in 17 games) both had some utility. Justin Jefferson is locked in as the clear top weapon in the passing game and should dominate the targets, but Hockenson could struggle to see consistent volume while he's vying with the likes of No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison and No. 3 receiver Jauan Jennings for the remaining looks that don't go to Jefferson. |
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Jordan Addison Jordan Addison Makes impressive grab in final camp practice
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 9:23 AM
Addison provided one of the highlights of the day during the Vikings' final training camp practice Aug. 26, connecting with quarterback Kyler Murray on a toe-dragging, sideline catch, Andrew Krammer of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Along with most of the Vikings' other key starters, Addison was rested for the final two preseason contests, but he was taking regular reps with the first-team offense throughout camp and will be ready to go for Week 1 against the Packers. As was the case for nearly every Minnesota pass catcher last season, Addison saw his production crater as a result of suspect quarterback play from J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer, but his fantasy outlook should be improved heading into 2026 while Murray steps in as the Vikings' new starter under center. Over his first two NFL seasons, Addison averaged 4.2 receptions, 55.8 yards and 0.6 touchdowns per game while Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold served as the Vikings' primary quarterbacks. |
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Jordan Mason Jordan Mason Co-starting RB with Jones
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 7:53 PM
Mason and Aaron Jones are listed as co-starting running backs on the Vikings' unofficial depth chart following cutdown day Sunday, Rob Kleifield of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: The 49ers dealt Mason to Minnesota in March 2025, and the pairing of him and Jones meant a split backfield last season, with the former getting 173 touches to the latter's 160 along the way. Jones did play in four fewer games than Mason (12 vs. 16), but Mason handled far more goal-line carries (29 vs. 14), finishing with six TDs to Jones' three. A similar breakdown of work is expected for the duo in 2026, meaning Mason may have the safer fantasy floor of the two. |
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Aaron Jones Sr. Aaron Jones Sr. Listed as co-starter with Mason
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 7:48 PM
Jones and Jordan Mason are listed as co-starting running backs on the Vikings' unofficial depth chart following cut-down day Sunday, Rob Kleifield of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Jones and Mason effectively split Minnesota's backfield in 2025, with the former earning 160 touches in 12 regular-season games and the latter getting 173 in 16 such appearances. Mason's goal-line work (29 rushes inside the 5-yard line) helped him total six TDs, while Jones (14 such carries) ended up with only three end-zone visits, which matched the lowest of his career for a campaign. The duo should have a similar breakdown of reps this season, but Jones' age (31) and injury history seemingly make him the riskier of the two to roster for fantasy purposes. |
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Justin Jefferson Justin Jefferson Makes impressive grabs in last camp practice
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 1:12 PM
Jefferson connected on a couple highlight-reel grabs from quarterback Kyler Murray during the Vikings' final training camp practice Aug. 26, Andrew Krammer of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Though most of the Vikings' key starters ended up sitting out Friday's 34-6 loss to the Broncos in the preseason finale, Jefferson and Murray displayed a strong connection while sharing the field together for the last time in front of assembled media before the Sept. 13 season opener versus the Packers. During red-zone work, Murray made a strong anticipation throw over the middle to Jefferson that went for a touchdown, and on the very next play, the wideout hauled down a one-handed touchdown grab on a throw Murray made while facing heavy pressure. While it may be ambitious for Jefferson to return to the great heights he displayed over his first three years in the NFL when he averaged 108 catches, 1,608 yards and 8.3 touchdowns per season, the upgrade in quarterback play that Murray is expected to provide should help Jefferson handily outperform the 84-1,048-2 receiving line he posted over 17 games in 2025 with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer throwing passes to him. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Back to full practice
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 1:09 PM
McCarthy (ankle) has practiced in full this week, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Vikings GM Nolan Teasley said Wednesday that he also expects McCarthy to remain with the team this season, whether it's as Kyler Murray's direct backup or the QB3 behind Carson Wentz. Coach Kevin O'Connell seems to want more time with the 2024 first-rounder in an effort to continue to develop the 23-year-old. Across two preseason games this summer, McCarthy completed nine of 17 passes for 115 yards. |
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Reverts to injured reserve
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 10:32 PM
Roberts (undisclosed) cleared waivers and reverted to the Vikings' injured-reserve list Monday, according to the NFL's official transaction log.
Analysis: The linebacker was waived with an injury designation earlier in the day. Roberts needs to reach an injury settlement with Minnesota to have a chance to play in 2026. |
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Clears waivers
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 10:28 PM
Dyson (undisclosed) reverted to the Vikings' injured-reserve list Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Analysis: The linebacker was waived with an injury designation earlier in the day. Dyson will now need to reach an injury settlement with Minnesota to have a chance to play this season. The Bryant product last saw NFL regular-season action in 2024 with Carolina. |
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Reverts to IR
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 10:23 PM
Allen (undisclosed) reverted to the Vikings' injured-reserve list Monday, according to the NFL's official transaction log.
Analysis: The cornerback was waived with an injury designation by Minnesota earlier in the day. Allen will now need to reach an injury settlement with the team to have a chance to play in 2026. |
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Jermar Jefferson Jermar Jefferson Reverts to Minnesota IR
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 9:45 PM
Jefferson (undisclosed) reverted to the Vikings' injured reserve Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Analysis: Jefferson had a solid preseason, rushing 11 times for 74 yards over three contests. The running back was waived Sunday and cleared waivers, meaning he is set to spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on IR. If Jefferson would like to sign with another team, he will need to reach an injury settlement with the Vikings to become a free agent. |
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Dontae Fleming Dontae Fleming Reverts to IR for Minnesota
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 9:39 PM
Fleming (undisclosed) reverted to the Vikings' injured reserve list Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Analysis: The Vikings waived/injured Fleming on Sunday. The wide receiver cleared waivers and will now spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on injured reserve unless he is waived with an injury settlement. Fleming will likely spend the year on reserve and look to sign a future deal with the Vikings again in January. |
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Placed on IR, designated for return
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 6:36 PM
The Vikings placed Jurgens (undisclosed) on injured reserve with a designation to return Sunday, Rob Kleifield of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: It's not immediately clear what type of issue Jurgens is dealing with, but he'll need to sit out at least the first four games of the campaign. Minnesota claimed Nick Samac off waivers Monday to fill the backup center role in Jurgens' stead. |
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Survives roster cuts
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 6:01 PM
Thorson will be the Vikings punter heading into the 2026-27 season, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.
Analysis: Thorson spent four collegiate seasons at Georgia before signing with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in April 2026. After a quality preseason, he will serve as Minnesota's punter during the 2026-27 campaign, beating out veteran Johnny Hekker for the job. |
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Lands on IR
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 5:59 PM
The Vikings placed Batty (knee) on injured reserve Sunday, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.
Analysis: Batty suffered a torn ACL during Friday's preseason loss to the Broncos and will now be forced to miss the upcoming season. He logged 12 tackles (nine solo) across 12 games with Minnesota last season and will now shift his focus to getting healthy for the 2027 campaign. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Remains with Vikings
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 5:05 PM
McCarthy (ankle) remains on the 53-man roster for the Vikings, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: There was talk leading up to cut-down day that McCarthy could be traded or even released, but he will remain with Minnesota for the time being. Kyler Murray will open the season as the starting quarterback for the Vikings, and either McCarthy or Carson Wentz will back him up. |
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Suffers ankle sprain
Sat, Aug 29, 2026, 10:21 AM
Thomas suffered an ankle sprain during Friday night's preseason finale against the Broncos, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Thomas made five tackles (three solo) in Friday's game before sustaining the injury. The undrafted free agent out of James Madison had been taking a significant amount of first-team reps in camp and appears to be set for a significant role throughout the 2026 campaign, potentially as the middle safety in select packages. Thomas is set to have an MRI to investigate the extent of the injury. It remains to be seen how much time the safety will miss. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Won't play Friday
Fri, Aug 28, 2026, 5:33 PM
McCarthy (ankle) won't suit up for Friday's preseason game at Denver, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: McCarthy emerged from preseason Week 2 with an ankle injury, and while the Vikings were hopeful that he'd be able to play in the team's final exhibition, he'll instead remain in street clothes. After losing out on the starting QB job to Kyler Murray in early August, McCarthy has been serving as the backup in the meantime. Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer are the likely candidates to be under center for Minnesota on Friday. |
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