Quarterbacks
Sam Bradford
Shaun Hill
Running backs
Adrian Peterson
Jerick McKinnon
Matt Asiata
Zach Line-fullback
Receivers
Stefon Diggs
Charles Johnson
Adam Thielen
Laquon Treadwell
Jarius Wright
Cordarrelle Patterson
Tight ends
Kyle Rudolph
MyCole Pruitt
Rhett Ellison
David Morgan
Offensive line
Matt Kalil
Alex Boone
Joe Berger
Brandon Fusco
Andre Smith
T.J. Clemmings
Nick Easton
Zac Kerin
Jeremiah Sirles
Defensive line
Everson Griffen
Shariff Floyd
Linval Joseph
Brian Robison
Danielle Hunter
Tom Johnson
Shamar Stephen
Justin Trattou
Linebackers
Anthony Barr
Eric Kendricks
Chad Greenway
Emmanuel Lamur
Audie Cole
Kentrell Brothers
Edmond Robinson
Cornerbacks
Xavier Rhodes
Trae Waynes
Captain Munnerlyn
Terence Newman
Mackensie Alexander
Marcus Sherels
Safeties
Harrison Smith
Andrew Sendejo
Anthony Harris
Jayron Kearse
Kicker
Blair Walsh
Punter
Jeff Locke
Long snapper
Kevin McDermott
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10-man Practice Squad
QB Joel Stave
WR Moritz Boehringer
RB C.J. Ham
TE Kyle Carter
OL Willie Beavers
OL Isame Faciane
DE Stephen Weatherly
DT Toby Johnson
CB Tre Roberson
S Shamiel Gary
The biggest surprise is that Sam Bradford is at the top of quarterback depth chart rather than Teddy Bridgewater but injuries can change football plans in an instant. Other than the quarterback position there aren't many surprises with the Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster. I thought that rookie Stephen Weatherly might grab the fourth defensive end spot but Justin Trattou really made that spot his. Weatherly is a talented, but raw, pass rusher. He has an NFL future but a year on the practice squad will do him some good.
With Willie Beavers, Moritz Boehringer, and Stephen Weatherly signed to the practice squad all of the Vikings 2016 draft picks made the roster in some fashion. Beavers, as a fourth-round pick, "only" making the practice squad might be seen as a disappointment but nearly every rookie is a project. He wasn't expected to contribute this year. So, it's a good thing that he has a year to learn and develop without counting against the 53-man roster. Roster spots are limited. Especially on game day.
9 of the 10 players signed to the practice squad were on the Vikings roster through training camp and the preseason. Safety Shamiel Gary is the lone import. He was waived by the Miami Dolphins on Saturday. He also spent some time with the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears. He's the lone player on the practice squad with some NFL regular season snaps.
As for the reserve lists. The Vikings already have six players on injured reserve. That's an unfortunate but not an unusual start to an NFL season. The Vikings also have a couple of players on injured reserve with non-football issues.
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Injured Reserve
QB Teddy Bridgewater
DE B.J. DuBose
DT Scott Crichton
S Antone Exum, Jr.
S Michael Griffin
CB Jabari Price
Teddy Bridgewater and B.J. DuBose suffered significant injuries. Jabari Price left the final preseason game with a knee injury. The extent of which has yet to be revealed, The injuries to Scott Crichton, Antone Exum Jr., and Michael Griffin are probably more of the "let's protect these players" types of injuries. Exum and Griffin could be candidates for the "likely to return" injury list.
Reserve/Non-Football Illness
G Mike Harris
The particulars of Mike Harris' "illness" has been a mystery since it was disclosed at the start of training camp.
Reserve/Non-Football Injury
QB Taylor Heinicke
Taylor Heinicke severed a tendon in his foot when he put that foot through a window a couple of weeks before the start of training camp. The injury to Bridgewater ultimately forced the need to trade for Sam Bradford but Heinicke's injury didn't help matters. If Heinicke had entered training camp healthy made he's opening the season as the starter. There's no way of knowing that for sure but his injury did play a role in the Vikings recent quarterback drama. He's currently ahead of schedule in his rehab and should start practicing in a couple of weeks.
And there's the 2016 Minnesota Vikings. A fine group of football players!
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