The Vikings reduced their roster to 53 players on Tuesday, through a series of moves that began with an initial wave Monday.
Tuesday's sequence included utilizing Reserve Lists, as well as placing players on waivers and terminating contracts.
Teams have until Wednesday to claim players who were waived and can also sign up to 16 players for their practice squads.
Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell are scheduled to participate in a media availability Thursday.
Here's the first look at which Vikings are on the initial 53-man roster for 2024, along with the corresponding roster moves at each position that have been made since Minnesota's preseason finale.
Players listed first at each position correspond with starters on the unofficial depth chart.
Quarterbacks (3)
On the Initial 53: Sam Darnold; Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall
Waived: Matt Corral (Aug. 26)
The Vikings opted to place three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster for the second consecutive season after initially rostering two every year from 2019-22. By placing Hall on the 53-man roster, he can dress as an emergency QB and play if injuries occur to Darnold and Mullens without counting against the maximum of players active for a game.
Running Backs (2)
On the Initial 53: Aaron Jones, Sr.; Ty Chandler
Waived: DeWayne McBride and Mo Ibrahim (Aug. 26), Kene Nwangwu (Aug. 27)
Contract terminated: Myles Gaskin (Aug. 27)
Jones and Chandler are poised to form a 1-2 punch that poses threats on the ground and through the air.
Fullback (1)
On the Initial 53: C.J. Ham
The Duluth native is back for another go, adding a dimension to the offense, as well as significant impacts on special teams. Last season, he also helped with pass protection on third downs.
Receivers (6)
On the Initial 53: Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison; Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson, Trent Sherfield, Sr.
Waived: Justin Hall (Aug. 26), Lucky Jackson, Jeshaun Jones, Thayer Thomas (Aug. 27)
Waived/Injured: Malik Knowles (Aug. 27)
The Vikings built a deep receivers room, and players behind Jefferson and Addison made multiple plays in preseason games.
Tight Ends (3)
On the Initial 53: Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse
Remains on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform: T.J. Hockenson (must miss at least four games)
Waived: Neal Johnson and Sammis Reyes (Aug. 26)
Contract Terminated: N'Keal Harry and Robert Tonyan (Aug. 27)
Mundt, Oliver and Muse showed up with plays at different parts of camp while taking more reps than if Hockenson was already available. Hockenson has been running routes on air on a side field.
Offensive Line (9)
On the Initial 53: Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O'Neill; David Quessenberry, Walter Rouse, Dan Feeney, Michael Jurgens
Waived: Matt Cindric, Chuck Filiaga, Doug Nester and Spencer Rolland (Aug. 26), Henry Byrd and Tyrese Robinson (Aug. 27)
Placed on Injured Reserve-Designated for Return: Dalton Risner (Aug. 27)
Minnesota was able to blend versatility, experience and youthfulness for the depth in its offensive line group. The plan was for Risner to compete with Brandel and Ingram for one of the starting guard spots, but the veteran has been banged up.
Defensive Line (6)
On the Initial 53: Jonathan Bullard, Harrison Phillips, Jerry Tillery; Levi Drake Rodriguez, Jalen Redmond, Taki Taimani
Waived: Tyler Manoa (Aug. 26), Jaquelin Roy (Aug. 27)
Contract Terminated: James Lynch and Jonah Williams (Aug. 27)
The defensive line group's depth showed up multiple times in preseason games with Rodriguez, Redmond and Taimani capitalizing on their playing time.
Outside Linebackers (5)
On the Initial 53: Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel; Pat Jones II, Dallas Turner and Jihad Ward
Waived: Owen Porter (Aug. 26), Andre Carter II and Bo Richter (Aug. 27)
Placed on Injured Reserve-Designated for Return: Gabriel Murphy (Aug. 27)
Greenard and Van Ginkel were two of Minnesota's first signees during free agency. Jones repeatedly made plays and showed versatility in training camp. Turner flashed immediately in his NFL debut, and Ward adds size at the edge position with some added versatility.
Inside Linebackers (4)
On the 53: Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace, Jr.; Kamu Grugier-Hill and Brian Asamoah II
Waived: Dallas Gant (Aug. 27)
Injured Reserve: Jordan Kunaszyk (Aug. 27)
Pace has built off an impressive rookie season as a former undrafted free agent. Cashman and Grugier-Hill have added years of experience to the group.
Cornerbacks (6)
On the Initial 53: Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy, Jr., Shaq Griffin; Akayleb Evans, Fabian Moreau, Dwight McGlothern
Waived: Jaylin Williams (Aug. 26), Nahshon Wright (Aug. 27)
Contract Terminated: A.J. Green III (Aug. 26), Duke Shelley (Aug. 27)
The Vikings cornerbacks room has experienced quite a makeover this offseason with the signing of Griffin in the spring and the camp additions of Moreau and Gilmore. McGlothern continued to make an impact throughout the preseason and garnered a roster spot as an undrafted free agent.
Safeties (5)
On the Initial 53: Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum; Joshua Metellus, Theo Jackson and Jay Ward
Waived: Lewis Cine (Aug. 27)
Contract Terminated: Bobby McCain (Aug. 27)
Smith, Bynum and Metellus each started all 17 games for Minnesota in 2023, and Jackson contributed when his number was called. Ward worked some at cornerback during camp and is likely to be a core special teamer. The Vikings opted to go with six cornerbacks and five safeties this year instead of rostering six safeties (with Cine) in 2023.
Specialists (3)
On the 53: Long Snapper Andrew DePaola; Kicker Will Reichard, Punter Ryan Wright
DePaola is back again after another consistent camp. Wright won a punting battle and will serve as the holder for Reichard, who has been impressive in his first NFL preseason.
For Historical Reference
In 2016, Vikings.com began tracking the number of players at each position who made the Initial 53.
Quarterbacks
2024 Number of players on Initial 53: 3
2016: 2
2017: 2
2018: 3
2019: 2
2020: 2
2021: 2
2022: 2
2023: 3
Running Backs
2024 Number of players on Initial 53: 2
2016: 3
2017: 3
2018: 4
2019: 4
2020: 4
2021: 3
2022: 4
2023: 3
Fullback
2024 Number of players on Initial 53: 1
2016: 1
2017: 1
2018: 1
2019: 1
2020: 1
2021: 1
2022: 1
2023: 1
Receivers
2024 Number of players on Initial 53: 6
2016: 6
2017: 6
2018: 5
2019: 4
2020: 7
2021: 6
2022: 5
2023: 6
Tight Ends
2024 Number of players on Initial 53: 3
2016: 4
2017: 3
2018: 3
2019: 4
2020: 3
2021: 3
2022: 3
2023: 4
Offensive Line
2024 Number of players on Initial 53: 9
2016: 9
2017: 9
2018: 9
2019: 10
2020: 9
2021: 9
2022: 10
2023: 8
Defensive Line
Note: Defensive line from 2016-21 included defensive ends and defensive tackles. Since 2022, this group has been interior defensive linemen, with players who were formerly categorized as defensive ends moving to the outside linebackers group.
2024 Number of players on Initial 53: 6
2016: 8
2017: 9
2018: 9
2019: 10
2020: 11
2021: 10
2022: 6
2023: 5
Outside Linebackers
2024 Number of players on Initial 53: 5
2016: DE grouped with defensive linemen
2017: DE grouped with defensive linemen
2018: DE grouped with defensive linemen
2019: DE grouped with defensive linemen
2020: DE grouped with defensive linemen
2021: DE grouped with defensive linemen
2022: 5
2023: 5
Inside Linebackers
2024 Number of players on Initial 53: 4
2016: 7 (included 3 LB positions)
2017: 6 (included 3 LB positions)
2018: 5 (included 3 LB positions)
2019: 5 (included 3 LB positions)
2020: 5 (included 3 LB positions)
2021: 7 (included 3 LB positions)
2022: 4 (included 2 ILB positions)
2023: 4 (included 2 ILB positions)
Defensive Backs
2024 Number of players on Initial 53: 11 (includes 6 cornerbacks and 5 safeties)
2016: 10
2017: 11
2018: 11
2019: 10
2020: 8
2021: 10
2022: 10 (6 cornerbacks and 4 safeties)
2023: 11 (5 cornerbacks and 6 safeties)
Specialists
2024 Number of players on Initial 53: 3
2016: 3
2017: 3
2018: 3
2019: 3
2020: 3
2021: 2
2022: 3
2023: 3
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