EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings reduced their roster to 53 players on Sunday in accordance with the NFL's deadline.

A total of 24 players were waived; six were waived with an injury designation; four veterans had their contracts terminated. Additionally, Minnesota traded Walter Rouse, placed one player on Injured Reserve — Designated for Return, placed one player on season-ending Injured Reserve, and placed one player on the Reserve/Suspended list.

Overall, the initial group consists of 26 offensive players, 24 defensive players and three on special teams.

This process was a major step for new General Manager Nolan Teasley, who was officially hired June 1.

The 53-man roster is always fluid and subject to change.

Note: Players listed first at each position correspond with starters on the most recent unofficial depth chart, which will be updated for Week 1.

Quarterbacks (4)

Kyler Murray; J.J. McCarthy; Carson Wentz; Max Brosmer

Running backs (3)

Aaron Jones, Sr., OR Jordan Mason; Demond Claiborne

Fullback (1)

Max Bredeson

Receivers (6)

Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings; Tai Felton and Myles Price; Dillon Bell

Tight ends (4)

T.J. Hockenson; Josh Oliver; Ben Yurosek; Gavin Bartholomew

Offensive line (8)

LT Christian Darrisaw; LG Donovan Jackson; C Blake Brandel; RG Will Fries; RT Brian O'Neill; T Ryan Van Demark; T Caleb Tiernan; G Joe Huber

Defensive line (6)

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez; Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange and Elijah Williams

Outside linebackers (4)

Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel; Bo Richter; Chaz Chambliss

Inside linebackers (4)

Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson; Jake Golday and Ivan Pace, Jr.

Cornerbacks (5)

Byron Murphy, Jr., and Isaiah Rodgers; Chuck Demmings and James Pierre; Zemaiah Vaughn

Safeties (5)

Joshua Metellus and Jay Ward; Theo Jackson and Jakobe Thomas; Jacob Thomas

Specialists (3)

Long snapper Andrew DePaola; Kicker Will Reichard; Punter Brett Thorson

Sunday's Roster Moves

The Vikings waived the following 24 players:

CB Da'Veawn Armstead

WR Michael Briscoe

G Henry Byrd

WR Terrill Davis

C Gavin Gerhardt

G Joshua Gray

S Kahlef Hailassie

CB Tre Hawkins

LB Bangally Kamara

TE Marshall Lang

TE Matt Lauter

G Vershon Lee

OL Tristan Leigh

OL Delby Lemieux

CB Bryce Phillips

OL Tomas Rimac

DL Jahvaree Ritzie

LB Josh Ross

WR Trayvon Rudolph

WR Marcus Sanders, Jr.

RB Zavier Scott

OLB Cam'Ron Stewart

DL Smith Vilbert

CB Jarod Washington

The Vikings waived the following six players with an injury designation:

CB Marcus Allen

OLB Kenny Dyson, Jr.

WR Dontae Fleming

RB Jermar Jefferson

TE Bryson Nesbit

LB Jacob Roberts

The Vikings terminated the contracts of the following four players:

DL Jonathan Harris

P Johnny Hekker

DL Isaiahh Loudermilk

S Tavierre Thomas

The Vikings placed the following two players on the Reserve/Injured list:

OLB Tyler Batty (season-ending IR)

C Michael Jurgens* (Note: Jurgens was Designated for Return)

The Vikings placed the following player on the Reserve/Suspended list:

WR Jeshaun Jones

The Vikings traded the following player:

OL Walter Rouse (sent to New England with a 2027 seventh-round selection in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick)

Scroll below for positional and historical breakdowns and more at each position.

Positional Breakdowns

Note: Players listed first at each position correspond with starters on the most recent unofficial depth chart, which will be updated for Week 1.

Quarterbacks (4)

On the Initial 53: Kyler Murray; J.J. McCarthy; Carson Wentz; Max Brosmer

Minnesota kept four quarterbacks on its initial roster for the first time in at least a decade. Murray is entering Year 8 in the NFL and will make his Vikings debut Sept. 13, starting at home in Week 1 against Green Bay, whose defense is coordinated by Murray's former head coach with the Cardinals (and a Vikings assistant from 2014-17), Jonathan Gannon. McCarthy was held out of the team's final exhibition due to an ankle injury and enters his third season with 10 starts in 2025 under his belt. Wentz returns to Minnesota with 99 career starts, including five last season. Each QB was drafted in the Top 10: Murray (1^st in 2019), Wentz (2^nd in '16) and McCarthy (10^th in '24). Brosmer is the outlier as a developmental 2025 UDFA but is valued by the organization.

Running backs (3)

On the Initial 53: Aaron Jones, Sr., OR Jordan Mason; Demond Claiborne

Waived: Zavier Scott (Aug. 30)

Waived/Injured: Jermar Jefferson (Aug. 30)

Mason and Jones accounted for 809 and 747 scrimmage yards, respectively, in 2025, and look poised for even larger production this season playing within a revamped run scheme influenced by new Assistant Head Coach Frank Smith (formerly Dolphins Offensive Coordinator) and Keith Carter, who was promoted to offensive line coach. Both veteran backs had fantastic camps. They will help bring along Claiborne, a sixth-round rookie who has tantalizing and unteachable speed.

Fullback (1)

On the Initial 53: Max Bredeson

The Vikings begin the post-C.J. Ham era with another hammer in Bredeson, who was drafted in the fifth round out of Michigan. Bredeson quickly impacted the offense in spring and summer as a lane creator and reliable receiving outlet in the flats. He's got an old-school toughness to him.

Receivers (6)

On the Initial 53: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings; Tai Felton and Myles Price; Dillon Bell

Waived: Michael Briscoe, Terrill Davis, Trayvon Rudolph and Marcus Sanders, Jr. (Aug. 30)

Waived/Injured: Dontae Fleming (Aug. 30)

Placed on Reserve/Suspended list: Jeshaun Jones (Aug. 30)

Unlike the past two training camps when he was hampered by a hamstring injury, "Jets" was full-go this year and really started to click with Murray in recent practices. He and Addison are in the same boat, attempting to bounce back from "down" seasons by their lofty standards. The main addition to the group is Jennings, who has 1,618 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns since 2024. Felton and Price are both entering Year 2 and both flashed in camp. Bell, undrafted out of Georgia, possesses a notable run/catch skill set and the physicality to break tackles — and block.

Tight ends (4)

On the Initial 53: T.J. Hockenson; Josh Oliver; Ben Yurosek; Gavin Bartholomew

Waived: Marshall Lang and Matt Lauter (Aug. 30)

Waived/Injured: Bryson Nesbit (Aug. 30)

Hock' sported a new, shorter haircut this summer, and appeared like his old self in several camp practices, boxing out defenders in the red zone and threatening coverages down the seams. Oliver still is a gigantic human capable of acting as an extra offensive lineman in the run game or a "Sears Tower"-sized target. Yurosek will look to elevate his receiving/blocking role in Year 2 — after making the team as an undrafted player last year — and figures to be used on special teams. Bartholomew was a summer standout after missing his rookie season with a back injury.

Offensive line (8)

On the Initial 53: LT Christian Darrisaw; LG Donovan Jackson; C Blake Brandel; RG Will Fries; RT Brian O'Neill; T Ryan Van Demark; T Caleb Tiernan; G Joe Huber

Placed on Injured Reserve-Designated for Return: Michael Jurgens (Aug. 30)

Traded: OL Walter Rouse (Aug. 30)

Waived: G Henry Byrd, C Gavin Gerhardt, G Joshua Gray, G Vershon Lee, OL Tristan Leigh, OL Delby Lemieux and OL Tomas Rimac (Aug. 30)

Brandel is locked in as the club's starting center after committing to the position full-time in the offseason, following part-time duties in a pinch last year. He's flanked to his left by Darrisaw and Jackson — Vikings first-rounders in 2021 and 2025 — and Fries and O'Neill to his right, the latter of whom signed a contract extension in July. Darrisaw and Fries came back from serious injuries (suffered in 2024) in 2025 and have great expectations this season. Huber offers interior depth at three spots, and the third-round rook Tiernan and veteran Van Demark are backups at tackle.

Defensive line (6)

On the Initial 53: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez; Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange and Elijah Williams

Released: Jonathan Harris and Isaiahh Loudermilk

Waived: Jahvaree Ritzie and Smith Vilbert

Redmond, 27, is the "old head," so to speak, in the DL room now. He first emerged in 2024 and proved himself as a dogged two-phase player against the run and pass in 2025. "L.D.R." has come a long way from his seventh-round roots and had a fantastic training camp, often lining up as the starting nose tackle. Ingram-Dawkins is a quasi-edge defender thanks to his inside-outside flexibility and is primed for a much bigger role in his second season. Banks, Orange and Williams round out the youth movement up front. The former two were drafted 18^th and 82^nd overall this year and could buddy up as future game-wreckers. Williams tried out for the team in 2025 and has been undeniable ever since, with a motor that is bound to find the field in some capacity.

Outside linebackers (4)

On the Initial 53: Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel; Bo Richter; Chaz Chambliss

Placed on Injured Reserve: Tyler Batty (season-ending)

Waived: OLB Cam'Ron Stewart

Waived/Injured: Kenny Dyson, Jr.

Turner is taking over the "rush" role previously occupied by Jonathan Greenard, and there is palpable buzz surrounding him after a solid camp that included two days of feasting off the edge in joint practices versus Baltimore. Van Ginkel, most importantly, is healthy, which means he's fully capable of vying for accolades. Richter and Chambliss were 2024 and 2025 UDFAs who are gritty and will contribute to special teams. Chambliss also is getting work as the backup fullback.

Inside linebackers (4)

On the Initial 53: Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson; Jake Golday and Ivan Pace, Jr.

Waived: Bangally Kamara and Josh Ross (Aug. 30)

Cashman and Wilson will aim to replicate their 2025 excellence in tandem as outstanding blitzers and instinctive playmakers. Pace, another great blitzer, is the longest-tenured Viking in the LB room and poses to spell those two whenever they need it, and also dynamically impact special teams. Golday is the ultimate understudy. The second-round rookie will eventually take snaps as an off-ball 'backer, as well as an edge rusher. Golday is big, fast and good in space.

Cornerbacks (5)

On the Initial 53: Byron Murphy, Jr., and Isaiah Rodgers; Chuck Demmings and James Pierre; Zemaiah Vaughn

Waived: Tre Hawkins, Bryce Phillips and Jarod Washington (Aug. 30)

Waived/Injured: Marcus Allen (Aug. 30)

Murphy and Rodgers — and the whole defense, of course — should benefit from quality reinforcements at cornerback this season. That veteran duo, plus Pierre, who had a career year in 2025 on the Steelers, will be mentors to Demmings, who's seamlessly made the jump so far from the FCS to the NFL, and Vaughn, who only started playing corner in college and has great length for the position. Murph', especially, was picking off passes left and right in training camp.

Safeties (5)

On the Initial 53: Joshua Metellus and Jay Ward; Theo Jackson and Jakobe Thomas; Jacob Thomas

Released: Tavierre Thomas (Aug. 30)

Waived: Kahlef Hailassie (Aug. 30)

The glaring omission, obviously, is Harrison Smith, who may or may not rejoin the Vikings at some point this season. Either way, Metellus is streamlining communication in the secondary, and he's got a supporting cast with upside. Jackson and Ward have familiarity in Brian Flores' scheme, and the rookie Thomases (Jakobe, a third-round pick; Jacob, an undrafted addition) are equipped with strong skills compatible with Flo's assignments.

Specialists (3)

On the Initial 53: Long snapper Andrew DePaola; Kicker Will Reichard; Punter Brett Thorson

Released: Punter Johnny Hekker (Aug. 30)

DePaola, 39, has been a First- or Second-Team All-Pro every year dating to 2022. Reichard may very well be an All-Pro every year from now until he's 39. And, Thorson is the reigning Ray Guy Award winner (college football's best punter), who beat out the NFL's All-Decade punter of the 2010s (Hekker). In other words, it's a special trio under Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels.

For Historical Reference

In 2016, Vikings.com began tracking the number of players at each position who made the Initial 53.

Quarterbacks

2026 Number of players on Initial 53: 4

2016: 2
2017: 2
2018: 3
2019: 2
2020: 2
2021: 2
2022: 2
2023: 3
2024: 3
2025: 3

Running Backs

2026 Number of players on Initial 53: 3

2016: 3
2017: 3
2018: 4
2019: 4
2020: 4
2021: 3
2022: 4
2023: 3
2024: 2
2025: 4

Fullback

2026 Number of players on Initial 53: 1

2016: 1
2017: 1
2018: 1
2019: 1
2020: 1
2021: 1
2022: 1
2023: 1
2024: 1
2025: 0* (C.J. Ham was on Injured Reserve — Designated for Return)

Receivers

2026 Number of players on Initial 53: 6

2016: 6
2017: 6
2018: 5
2019: 4
2020: 7
2021: 6
2022: 5
2023: 6
2024: 6
2025: 5

Tight Ends

2026 Number of players on Initial 53: 4

2016: 4
2017: 3
2018: 3
2019: 4
2020: 3
2021: 3
2022: 3
2023: 4
2024: 3
2025: 3

Offensive Line

2026 Number of players on Initial 53: 8

2016: 9
2017: 9
2018: 9
2019: 10
2020: 9
2021: 9
2022: 10
2023: 8
2024: 9
2025: 10

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.

2026 Number of players on Initial 53: 6

2016: 8
2017: 9
2018: 9
2019: 10
2020: 11
2021: 10
2022: 6
2023: 5
2024: 6
2025: 6

Outside Linebackers

2026 Number of players on Initial 53: 4

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
2024: 5
2025: 5

Inside Linebackers

2026 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)
2024: 4 (included 2 ILB positions)
2025: 5 (included 2 ILB positions)

Defensive Backs

2026 Number of players on Initial 53: 10 (includes 5 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)
2024: 11 (6 cornerbacks and 5 safeties)
2025: 9 (4 cornerbacks and 5 safeties)

Specialists

2026 Number of players on Initial 53: 3

2016: 3
2017: 3
2018: 3
2019: 3
2020: 3
2021: 2
2022: 3
2023: 3
2024: 3
2025: 3

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