The Vikings’ backfield is getting crowded again, and Demond Claiborne is the one feeling the squeeze.
Minnesota entered Sunday afternoon’s matchup with the Colts healthier on offense than it has been in a long time, and Jordan Mason’s return from injured reserve was the biggest development. That move pushed the Vikings to release their Week 7 inactive list Sunday morning, and Claiborne landed on it for the first time since the season-opening win over the Packers.
Alongside the usual inactive names - rookies Jakobe Thomas and Elijah Williams, quarterback Max Brosmer, and others - Claiborne’s absence stood out because of what it says about where he sits in the pecking order right now. The rookie running back arrived in camp with plenty of buzz from Vikings fans, but that summer momentum has not carried over into the season.
His production tells the story. Claiborne has six carries for 13 rushing yards, with eight of those coming on one run, plus eight receiving yards on two catches. His 55.2 rushing grade from Pro Football Focus ranks 87th among 105 running backs.
That is why Mason’s return matters so much. The Gallatin, TN, native already gave Minnesota a glimpse of what he can bring in Week 1, when he ran for 59 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. With him back, the Vikings have a much clearer option as the RB2 behind Aaron Jones Sr.
Claiborne’s situation got even tougher with DeeJay Dallas active for Sunday’s game against the Colts, according to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis. Dallas had been released by the Vikings and then brought back to the practice squad earlier this week, so Minnesota choosing him over Claiborne for the lineup suggests where the team’s priorities are, especially with Dallas’s special teams value in the mix.
What happens next could be even more important than Sunday’s game. If Jones, Mason and Dallas all handle their roles, the Vikings may have little reason to turn back to Claiborne.
That could eventually lead to Dallas being re-signed to the 53-man roster once his elevations are used up, and in that scenario Minnesota would likely release Claiborne in order to bring him back to the practice squad. Spotrac says such a move would save the team $885,000 this season, with dead cap charges of $205,185 in 2026 and $73,407 in 2027.
There is also a trade angle to watch as the Nov. 10 deadline gets closer. Claiborne could be part of those discussions if Minnesota decides to shop him, and a team in need of running back help might be willing to part with a seventh-round pick for him, especially if it believes another club could jump in after a release.
That possibility exists because Claiborne still has something teams can dream on. Over his last three seasons at Wake Forest, he piled up 2,542 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns, showing the kind of speed that made him a noteworthy Day 3 addition. For now, though, his inactive status is a reminder that promise and production are not the same thing.
If that doesn’t change soon, his run with the Vikings could be over before long.
In Other News...
Vikings Gave Caleb Williams A Reality Check Bears Fans Hate
Rainy games at Soldier Field have a way of turning pretty football arguments into ugly ones, and Week 2 was no exception. The Vikings came away with a 9-3 win over the Bears, leaning on a defense that made Chicago work for everything and turned the game into the kind of slog that can frustrate both sides just as much as it flatters the winner.
For Bears fans, though, the lingering frustration has been less about the scoreboard than the setting. Some have pointed to the conditions and a handful of missed scoring chances as reason to question how much the result should really count, even as Minnesotas defensive effort deserves plenty of credit on its own. The debate has only added another layer to a rivalry game that already felt like a referendum on how much patience Chicago has left for Caleb Williams and the offense around him. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Could Eye A Major Backfield Upgrade Before The Deadline
The trade deadline chatter around Saquon Barkley has put a spotlight on a few teams that could use a backfield jolt, and Minnesota is firmly in that mix. The Vikings have reason to at least take the phone call seriously, especially with the way their run game has looked and the uncertainty hanging over their current rotation.
Aaron Jones has not provided the same production he once did, and Jordan Mason is dealing with a fractured thumb, which leaves the Vikings in a spot where help would make sense. If Philadelphia were ever willing to move Barkley, Minnesota could be one of the more aggressive teams watching closely, even if the price and timing still make this a situation to monitor rather than a done deal. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Backfield Move Just Put A Bigger Possibility In Play
The Vikings made a roster adjustment before facing the Colts, releasing DeeJay Dallas to clear the way for Jordan Mason to come off injured reserve. It was the kind of backfield move teams make this time of year, but it also gave Minnesota a little more clarity heading into a matchup where the ground game will matter, especially with Mason returning and the Vikings looking to settle in around their current rotation.
At the same time, the broader running back picture around Indianapolis has a way of keeping Minnesota in the conversation. Jonathan Taylor remains under contract after his extension with the Colts, and while there is no indication a deal is imminent, the Vikings have been floated as a possible destination if circumstances ever change. The connection is worth watching because Colts interim general manager Ed Dodds has ties to Vikings GM Nolan Teasley, a thread that could matter if the situation around Taylor ever turns into something more than background noise. [Read more 🡒]