Minnesota Vikings Late-Season Roster Tweaks

The Minnesota Vikings are on a late-season run. A month ago, they were sitting at 4-8 with playoff possibilities sitting at non-existent. Since then, the Vikings have won four games. They were eliminated from the playoffs as they started to win. One game remains. With a defeat of the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings can end the season with a winning record. In advance of the big, final game, there have been some tweaks to the roster. Many of the tweaks have been prompted by injuries. In the past two weeks, the Vikings have placed five players on injured reserve.

Christian Darrisaw, T

Jonathan Greenard, OLB

Joshua Metellus, S

Ryan Kelly, C

Elijah Williams, DL

All but Elijah Williams are starters. Jonathan Greenard and Joshua Metellus are captains. The Vikings might be on a four-game win streak but they are limping toward the finish line. 

To fill three of the those roster spots the Vikings signed the following players from the practice squad to the active roster.

Dwight McGlothern Jr., CB

Zemaiah Vaughn, CB

Henry Byrd, G

The remaining roster spots were filled by quarterback Brett Rypien, claimed off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts, and running back Ty Chandler, activated from injured reserve. 

One of the roster curiosities of this year’s Vikings team has been the cornerbacks. Early in the season, they ran with the following corners:

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

Jeff Okudah

Three cornerbacks! Three! Through the first eight games, Okudah was played in six. A concussion put him on injured reserve and eventually ended his season. Fabian Moreau replaced Okudah as the third cornerback. Second-year corner Dwight McGlothern Jr. was a frequent game day elevation from the practice squad to give the Vikings four corners. On December 20, he was signed to the active roster. Undrafted rookie Zemaiah Vaughn was signed to the active roster yesterday. With five cornerbacks, the Vikings cornerback depth chart is finally as deep in numbers as most teams in the league. 

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

Fabian Moreau

Dwight McGlothern Jr.

Zemaiah Vaughn

Dwight McGlothern Jr., at 6’2” and Zemaiah Vaughn, at 6’3”, give the Vikings some intriguing height at the position. The two young corners also might get a chance in the final game of the season to show what they might be able to add to the defense in 2026. 

One more game. One more win.