Minnesota Vikings Initial 53-man Roster

The Minnesota Vikings have trimmed the roster to 53 players. This is always a rough day. A total of 24 players were waived. Six were waived with an injury designation. Four veterans had their contracts terminated. One player was placed on Injured Reserve - Designated for Return. Sadly, another was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. One player was placed on the Reserve/Suspended list. Finally, the Vikings traded offensive tackle Walter Rouse and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the New England Patriots for a 2027 sixth-round pick. Roster-trimming day is always a difficult and busy day. It’s also just a start. There are still two weeks before the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers in the season-opener. Judging from the initial roster, there will be changes between now and then. Until that happens, here’s a look at the initial roster. 

Minnesota Vikings Initial 53-man Roster

Offense (26)

Quarterback (4)

Kyler Murray

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Running Back (3)

Aaron Jones

Jordan Mason

Demond Claiborne

Fullback (1)

Max Bredeson

Wide Receiver (6)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jauan Jennings

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Dillon Bell

Tight End (4)

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Ben Yurosek

Gavin Bartholomew

Offensive Line (8)

Christian Darrisaw

Donovan Jackson

Blake Brandel

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill

Ryan Van Demark

Caleb Tiernan

Joe Huber

Defense (24)

Defensive Line (6)

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Caleb Banks

Domonique Orange

Elijah Williams

Outside Linebacker (4)

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Bo Richter

Chaz Chambliss

Linebacker (4)

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Ivan Pace Jr.

Jake Golday

Cornerback (5)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

Chuck Demmings

James Pierre

Zemaiah Vaughn

Safety (5)

Josh Metellus

Jay Ward

Theo Jackson

Jakobe Thomas

Jacob Thomas

Special Teams (3)

Kicker (1)

Will Reichard

Punter (1)

Brett Thorson

Long Snapper (1)

Andrew DePaola

***

Even a quick glance at the roster reveals areas that may be addressed as soon as later today. For starters, carrying only eight offensive linemen doesn’t feel like a sustainable strategy. Four QBs? Four TEs? Only four outside linebackers? Five cornerbacks is a slight surprise. An NFL roster is always a fluid thing. Setting the initial 53-man roster is always a significant moment but it’s a fleeting moment. 

In getting to the 53-man roster limit, the Vikings placed some players on some of the Reserve lists available to them. 

Reserve/Injured

Tyler Batty, OLB (season-ending IR)

Michael Jurgens (Designated for Return)

Reserve/Suspended

Jeshaun Jones, WR

Until it’s not, this is the 53-man roster of the 2026 Minnesota Vikings.