Pre Season Game 3

[CharVike]

Looks like another practice session. Corrall and Hall will play QB and I guess everybody else will sit. I thought at one point teams would use 1 game as a set to get the squad some action. Our starting O has played 1 series.

[makila]

Alec Lewis roster thought update from The Athletic going into final game.

Thought the iol and wr spots are most interesting to see what they do. And of course still curious about Cine.

The roster shuffling is ongoing for the Minnesota Vikings. Cutdown day is Tuesday, and the team has waived multiple players in the last couple of days.

The most notable was NaJee Thompson, whom the Vikings kept last year as a special teams gunner. Thompson suffered a knee injury last year and was sidelined throughout the spring and fall camp. If he can clear waivers, he’ll be back with the team on injured reserve.

In the meantime, the Vikings have plenty of decisions to make. Other teams have needs, too, of course. With the preseason finale set for Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, here’s a look at the players on the bubble:

Looking good (but not a lock)
DT Levi Drake Rodriguez
You cannot find defensive tackles with wiggle on the street. Rodriguez is an incredible example of a scout’s vision, and credit to defensive coordinator Brian Flores for giving him an opportunity. Rodriguez may have played at Texas A&M-Commerce, but his relentless pursuit of the ball and ability to use his hands have spurred him to success both on the practice field and in preseason games. The Vikings don’t have many developmental interior defenders with pass-rush juice other than Rodriguez, which should keep the seventh-rounder around.

CB Dwight McGlothern
Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s draft expert, projected McGlothern as a fifth- or sixth-round pick. It’s easy to see why. McGlothern constantly finds the ball. The LSU and Arkansas product does not have the longest wingspan or fastest 40-yard dash time, but he has a knack and a drive. Similar to the defensive tackle spot, the Vikings need budding options to develop. McGlothern is a nice canvas to dream on.

WR Trishton Jackson
Has any Vikings player produced a better showing in training camp than Jackson? His route running is crisp. He’s always in the right spots. He has been immersed in the system for years. Jackson, 26, is also one of Justin Jefferson’s best friends on the team. Reliable depth should not be taken for granted.

WR Trent Sherfield Sr.
Enthusiastic run-blocking wide receivers are a favorite of this offensive staff, and Sherfield qualifies as such. He has played in 95 career games. If the Vikings chose to release him, another team would quickly snatch him up. Keeping him and Jackson would mean six rostered receivers, but given Jordan Addison’s injury and Jalen Nailor’s injury history, Sherfield’s inclusion makes too much sense.

Edge Jihad Ward
If you have listened to Flores talk, you know how much he likes versatility. Ward is listed as an edge rusher, but he also can play inside, especially on pass-rushing downs. He is also proven, having recorded five sacks last year with the New York Giants.

CB/S Jay Ward
There are a couple of factors working in Ward’s favor. First, he was a fourth-round pick in 2023, and the Vikings are not likely to be ready to move off that type of investment. The other notable aspect is his role on special teams. Ward played 69 percent of Minnesota’s special teams snaps last season, and while he was flagged in a couple of key moments, his presence is important for a unit that already waived the aforementioned Thompson.

Others: T Walter Rouse, edge Patrick Jones II, DT Jonah Williams

Up in the air
S Lewis Cine
Rarely do you enter an NFL game wanting to watch a safety more than any other position, but that could be the case Saturday. Last weekend’s showing against the Cleveland Browns was Cine’s best as a professional. Can he repeat it? And if so, will it alter the Vikings’ view or up another team’s trade offer? Georgia head coach Kirby Smart once told Brugler, “When you design a safety, (Cine)’s got all the qualities … he’s really been a student of the game.” Cine is only 24, so this ultimately might come down to a test of hope: How long can you hold on for a player who has yet to make a meaningful impact?

CB Duke Shelley
The Vikings players love Shelley; in 2022, he swatted a pass away from Dawson Knox in Buffalo and has been a folk hero ever since. His size, though, is still a limiting factor. Flores has mostly used him at the nickel corner spot, and while the Vikings don’t have much depth there behind Byron Murphy Jr., Flores has shown a willingness to use safeties in the role. If he’s comfortable doing that again in 2024, and if the Vikings prefer to stash youngsters on the roster, Shelley could find himself on the wrong side of the cut line.

Edge Gabriel Murphy
After the first couple of weeks of training camp, Murphy was trending toward making the roster. Everyone in the know felt it. Flores and head coach Kevin O’Connell both raved about him. Then he suffered an undisclosed injury and has mostly been incognito. Minnesota has yet to place Murphy on injured reserve, which would allow the team to keep him without him counting against the 53-man limit. Given the upside, that route makes sense.

G Dalton Risner
A few weeks ago, Risner suffered a back injury. He has not practiced since nor has he been present. The Vikings added him as reliable depth on the interior of the offensive line, but you have to be available to offer insurance. Like Murphy, he, too, might be a candidate for injured reserve — teams have two spots for players who don’t count against the 53-man, and tight end T.J. Hockenson will likely occupy one of them. A player like Murphy, who is still young and developing, might warrant the nod more than a backup guard, even if Blake Brandel and Ed Ingram are not stalwarts.

C/G Michael Jurgens
Through two preseason games, 103 NFL offensive linemen have played at least 70 snaps. Only five have a worse pass-blocking grade than Jurgens, according to Pro Football Focus. The Vikings prioritized Jurgens in the draft. He was an elite run blocker at Wake Forest, and, to his credit, he has blocked effectively in the run game this summer. But pass protection has been an entirely different story. He has spent far too much time on the ground or getting pushed back into the backfield. Team brass might want to keep him given the draft capital the Vikings spent, but they might be able to stash him on the practice squad.

DT Taki Taimani
Last year, fifth-round pick Jaquelin Roy occupied the backup nose tackle spot behind Harrison Phillips. Roy is in the mix again this year, and it’s always possible Flores tries to cover his bases at the spot with versatility. That said, if the Vikings opt for a more creative route, they could keep a player like Taimani who has been stout against the run throughout the preseason. He arrived as an undrafted signee from Oregon, but Flores often says draft position doesn’t matter once a player enters the building. Taimani could be a sneaky 53-man option.

Others: TE Robert Tonyan, QB Jaren Hall, S/CB Bobby McCain, DT Jalen Redmond, C/G Dan Feeney, G Tyrese Robinson, DT Jaquelin Roy, edge Bo Richter, TE N’Keal Harry

Wrong side of the bubble
CB Nahshon Wright
Edge Andre Carter II
Edge Owen Porter
WR Lucky Jackson
WR Thayer Thomas
WR Malik Knowles
None of these names should be too surprising. Wright, the cornerback acquired from the Cowboys for Andrew Booth Jr., is massive but a likely practice squad candidate if he’s waived. Carter, too, played his best professional game Saturday in Cleveland, but it’s probably not enough.

Maybe the two most interesting names on this list are receivers: Thomas and Knowles. They’re both young. The Vikings see talent in both. Thomas is a smooth route runner, and Knowles displayed his ability Saturday with a leaping grab. Injuries have affected both to the point where they haven’t been able to consistently impress, but the Vikings will likely try to stick with them on the practice squad, giving them chances the way they did with Nailor when he was younger.

[CharVike]

Alec Lewis roster thought update from The Athletic going into final game.

Thought the iol and wr spots are most interesting to see what they do. And of course still curious about Cine.

The roster shuffling is ongoing for the Minnesota Vikings. Cutdown day is Tuesday, and the team has waived multiple players in the last couple of days.

The most notable was NaJee Thompson, whom the Vikings kept last year as a special teams gunner. Thompson suffered a knee injury last year and was sidelined throughout the spring and fall camp. If he can clear waivers, he’ll be back with the team on injured reserve.

In the meantime, the Vikings have plenty of decisions to make. Other teams have needs, too, of course. With the preseason finale set for Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, here’s a look at the players on the bubble:

Looking good (but not a lock)
DT Levi Drake Rodriguez
You cannot find defensive tackles with wiggle on the street. Rodriguez is an incredible example of a scout’s vision, and credit to defensive coordinator Brian Flores for giving him an opportunity. Rodriguez may have played at Texas A&M-Commerce, but his relentless pursuit of the ball and ability to use his hands have spurred him to success both on the practice field and in preseason games. The Vikings don’t have many developmental interior defenders with pass-rush juice other than Rodriguez, which should keep the seventh-rounder around.

CB Dwight McGlothern
Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s draft expert, projected McGlothern as a fifth- or sixth-round pick. It’s easy to see why. McGlothern constantly finds the ball. The LSU and Arkansas product does not have the longest wingspan or fastest 40-yard dash time, but he has a knack and a drive. Similar to the defensive tackle spot, the Vikings need budding options to develop. McGlothern is a nice canvas to dream on.

WR Trishton Jackson
Has any Vikings player produced a better showing in training camp than Jackson? His route running is crisp. He’s always in the right spots. He has been immersed in the system for years. Jackson, 26, is also one of Justin Jefferson’s best friends on the team. Reliable depth should not be taken for granted.

WR Trent Sherfield Sr.
Enthusiastic run-blocking wide receivers are a favorite of this offensive staff, and Sherfield qualifies as such. He has played in 95 career games. If the Vikings chose to release him, another team would quickly snatch him up. Keeping him and Jackson would mean six rostered receivers, but given Jordan Addison’s injury and Jalen Nailor’s injury history, Sherfield’s inclusion makes too much sense.

Edge Jihad Ward
If you have listened to Flores talk, you know how much he likes versatility. Ward is listed as an edge rusher, but he also can play inside, especially on pass-rushing downs. He is also proven, having recorded five sacks last year with the New York Giants.

CB/S Jay Ward
There are a couple of factors working in Ward’s favor. First, he was a fourth-round pick in 2023, and the Vikings are not likely to be ready to move off that type of investment. The other notable aspect is his role on special teams. Ward played 69 percent of Minnesota’s special teams snaps last season, and while he was flagged in a couple of key moments, his presence is important for a unit that already waived the aforementioned Thompson.

Others: T Walter Rouse, edge Patrick Jones II, DT Jonah Williams

Up in the air
S Lewis Cine
Rarely do you enter an NFL game wanting to watch a safety more than any other position, but that could be the case Saturday. Last weekend’s showing against the Cleveland Browns was Cine’s best as a professional. Can he repeat it? And if so, will it alter the Vikings’ view or up another team’s trade offer? Georgia head coach Kirby Smart once told Brugler, “When you design a safety, (Cine)’s got all the qualities … he’s really been a student of the game.” Cine is only 24, so this ultimately might come down to a test of hope: How long can you hold on for a player who has yet to make a meaningful impact?

CB Duke Shelley
The Vikings players love Shelley; in 2022, he swatted a pass away from Dawson Knox in Buffalo and has been a folk hero ever since. His size, though, is still a limiting factor. Flores has mostly used him at the nickel corner spot, and while the Vikings don’t have much depth there behind Byron Murphy Jr., Flores has shown a willingness to use safeties in the role. If he’s comfortable doing that again in 2024, and if the Vikings prefer to stash youngsters on the roster, Shelley could find himself on the wrong side of the cut line.

Edge Gabriel Murphy
After the first couple of weeks of training camp, Murphy was trending toward making the roster. Everyone in the know felt it. Flores and head coach Kevin O’Connell both raved about him. Then he suffered an undisclosed injury and has mostly been incognito. Minnesota has yet to place Murphy on injured reserve, which would allow the team to keep him without him counting against the 53-man limit. Given the upside, that route makes sense.

G Dalton Risner
A few weeks ago, Risner suffered a back injury. He has not practiced since nor has he been present. The Vikings added him as reliable depth on the interior of the offensive line, but you have to be available to offer insurance. Like Murphy, he, too, might be a candidate for injured reserve — teams have two spots for players who don’t count against the 53-man, and tight end T.J. Hockenson will likely occupy one of them. A player like Murphy, who is still young and developing, might warrant the nod more than a backup guard, even if Blake Brandel and Ed Ingram are not stalwarts.

C/G Michael Jurgens
Through two preseason games, 103 NFL offensive linemen have played at least 70 snaps. Only five have a worse pass-blocking grade than Jurgens, according to Pro Football Focus. The Vikings prioritized Jurgens in the draft. He was an elite run blocker at Wake Forest, and, to his credit, he has blocked effectively in the run game this summer. But pass protection has been an entirely different story. He has spent far too much time on the ground or getting pushed back into the backfield. Team brass might want to keep him given the draft capital the Vikings spent, but they might be able to stash him on the practice squad.

DT Taki Taimani
Last year, fifth-round pick Jaquelin Roy occupied the backup nose tackle spot behind Harrison Phillips. Roy is in the mix again this year, and it’s always possible Flores tries to cover his bases at the spot with versatility. That said, if the Vikings opt for a more creative route, they could keep a player like Taimani who has been stout against the run throughout the preseason. He arrived as an undrafted signee from Oregon, but Flores often says draft position doesn’t matter once a player enters the building. Taimani could be a sneaky 53-man option.

Others: TE Robert Tonyan, QB Jaren Hall, S/CB Bobby McCain, DT Jalen Redmond, C/G Dan Feeney, G Tyrese Robinson, DT Jaquelin Roy, edge Bo Richter, TE N’Keal Harry

Wrong side of the bubble
CB Nahshon Wright
Edge Andre Carter II
Edge Owen Porter
WR Lucky Jackson
WR Thayer Thomas
WR Malik Knowles
None of these names should be too surprising. Wright, the cornerback acquired from the Cowboys for Andrew Booth Jr., is massive but a likely practice squad candidate if he’s waived. Carter, too, played his best professional game Saturday in Cleveland, but it’s probably not enough.

Maybe the two most interesting names on this list are receivers: Thomas and Knowles. They’re both young. The Vikings see talent in both. Thomas is a smooth route runner, and Knowles displayed his ability Saturday with a leaping grab. Injuries have affected both to the point where they haven’t been able to consistently impress, but the Vikings will likely try to stick with them on the practice squad, giving them chances the way they did with Nailor when he was younger.

I like this kid CB Dwight McGlothern. I'm not saying he will be a starter this year but he could be a guy that can watch and learn. More than likely he needs physical development and he can get that this season also. C/G Michael Jurgens is another. If he can work on his craft for a few seasons he might develop. Pass protection appears to be his weakness. As a side I like the name Lucky Jackson but luck hasn't been on his side the last couple of years. Sounds like a star.

[CharVike]

I read that Kayode Awosika, OG for the Lions is a possible cut candidate. With Risner back issue this is a guy they may look at. He wasn't a starter but depth could be a concern. But maybe not.

[halfgiz]

I read that Kayode Awosika, OG for the Lions is a possible cut candidate. With Risner back issue this is a guy they may look at. He wasn't a starter but depth could be a concern. But maybe not.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we try and pick up a RG off of waivers or maybe a trade.
Not sure that Ingram is a given.

[CharVike]

I read that Kayode Awosika, OG for the Lions is a possible cut candidate. With Risner back issue this is a guy they may look at. He wasn't a starter but depth could be a concern. But maybe not.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we try and pick up a RG off of waivers or maybe a trade.
Not sure that Ingram is a given.

When they had Ingram playing in the Browns game I would say he's not a given to start. I don't see a cut because he can provide too much value off the bench. We screwed the kid when we threw him in the starting lineup when he wasn't close to ready. You should never do that to a rookie. They will all struggle to some degree but he looked like a fool out there. Some deep team may have a guy we can get. We have 2 5ths next year if one can be used for an avg G I would do it.

[CharVike]

This was a bubble game and a chance to give some young guys some playing time. It gives the coaches film for coaching. What surprised me was Turner playing enough snaps to get 7 tackles when I checked. It wouldn't look smart if the kid got hurt. If he torn a knee up I would say idiots. As a side my favorite name Lucky Jackson lead the team in catches. I think his luck will run out on Tuesday. But he should be on the practice squad again.

[VikingsVictorious]

I was busy with my daughter and the disc golf world championships today. I noticed Lewis Cine had a quiet game. Did he play much?

[VikingLord]

I was busy with my daughter and the disc golf world championships today. I noticed Lewis Cine had a quiet game. Did he play much?

I just watched highlights but it seemed like he was on the field for the majority of the game.

As far his his personal highlights I can't say I saw many. He was in on a few tackles and he also badly missed on one read and tackle. I think overall the defense played really well in the 1st half, but it's hard to tell what the Eagles were trying to work on or see with their 2nd stringers.

I'd put the odds of Cine making the final cut at around 50-50. He'd be depth and barring a major injury won't see the field much even if he makes the team. Personally, I kind of hope the Vikes cut him loose and let him try to latch on with another team. It just seems like it's not going to happen for him here, which is a real shame given how highly rated he was coming out of college and where the Vikings drafted him.

[CharVike]

I was busy with my daughter and the disc golf world championships today. I noticed Lewis Cine had a quiet game. Did he play much?

I just watched highlights but it seemed like he was on the field for the majority of the game.

As far his his personal highlights I can't say I saw many. He was in on a few tackles and he also badly missed on one read and tackle. I think overall the defense played really well in the 1st half, but it's hard to tell what the Eagles were trying to work on or see with their 2nd stringers.

I'd put the odds of Cine making the final cut at around 50-50. He'd be depth and barring a major injury won't see the field much even if he makes the team. Personally, I kind of hope the Vikes cut him loose and let him try to latch on with another team. It just seems like it's not going to happen for him here, which is a real shame given how highly rated he was coming out of college and where the Vikings drafted him.

Onebar and Lup had him as one of the top 5 losers. P Wright was another. McBride the RB was one and he was cut today. Rouse was one also and they moved him to G for some snaps. He's safe. Cine is a waste of a roster spot.

[VikingLord]

I just watched highlights but it seemed like he was on the field for the majority of the game.

As far his his personal highlights I can't say I saw many. He was in on a few tackles and he also badly missed on one read and tackle. I think overall the defense played really well in the 1st half, but it's hard to tell what the Eagles were trying to work on or see with their 2nd stringers.

I'd put the odds of Cine making the final cut at around 50-50. He'd be depth and barring a major injury won't see the field much even if he makes the team. Personally, I kind of hope the Vikes cut him loose and let him try to latch on with another team. It just seems like it's not going to happen for him here, which is a real shame given how highly rated he was coming out of college and where the Vikings drafted him.

Onebar and Lup had him as one of the top 5 losers. P Wright was another. McBride the RB was one and he was cut today. Rouse was one also and they moved him to G for some snaps. He's safe. Cine is a waste of a roster spot.

Yeah, kind of surprised with McBride. A lot of people thought he was a good pick where the Vikings got him (myself included), so that is a little disappointing. My best guess there is that McBride just didn't do the little things that modern NFL RBs have to do well like identify and pick up blitzes.

[VikingsVictorious]

Onebar and Lup had him as one of the top 5 losers. P Wright was another. McBride the RB was one and he was cut today. Rouse was one also and they moved him to G for some snaps. He's safe. Cine is a waste of a roster spot.

Yeah, kind of surprised with McBride. A lot of people thought he was a good pick where the Vikings got him (myself included), so that is a little disappointing. My best guess there is that McBride just didn't do the little things that modern NFL RBs have to do well like identify and pick up blitzes.

We dropped McBride from the PS for Xander Scott. Scott is a very intriguing prospect who played QB, RB, WR and TE.