The Vikings won’t be putting their biggest names on the field Saturday against the Ravens, and that makes this preseason game all about the players fighting for jobs, roles and maybe a bigger piece of the future in Minnesota.
After Kevin O’Connell said several starters will sit out, the spotlight shifts hard to the depth chart. The most useful work of the week already happened Wednesday and Thursday, when the Vikings and Ravens went through joint practices that gave both teams their best summer evaluation period. Now the game itself becomes a proving ground for the guys farther down the roster.
At quarterback, the biggest test belongs to J.J. McCarthy.
Kyler Murray is among the Vikings players who won’t play, which opens the door for the third-year quarterback to get another meaningful look. McCarthy, the former 10th-overall pick, has had a camp full of peaks and valleys and was officially moved to QB2 after his offseason battle with Murray.
He also struggled in last week’s game against the Giants, continuing a trend that has shown up in practice and in his 2025 game performances.
That puts Saturday in a much bigger light for McCarthy than a typical preseason snap count. He’s trying to show he can be the backup in 2026, but he’s also still a possible answer down the road.
Another uneven outing would give Carson Wentz a real opening to strengthen his case for the No. 2 job if he keeps looking like the steadier option. And if McCarthy does play well, that could catch the attention of QB-needy teams if he and the Vikings ever decide to explore a trade.
The receiver battle is just as worth watching. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings headline a group that already looks strong at the top, but the real intrigue sits behind them.
Tai Felton and Myles Price have each flashed throughout camp, while Dontae Fleming and Jeshuan Jones have also had their moments. Undrafted rookie Dillon Bell gets his own chance to push forward after a camp that hasn’t quite matched the expectations that followed minicamp.
The numbers game at wideout is very much alive. In the latest roster projection, the Vikings are keeping six receivers, and Saturday could help sharpen that picture even more.
There’s also plenty to sort out in the backfield. Demond Claiborne has been one of the most fascinating players in camp because the upside is obvious: speed, elusiveness and explosive playmaking.
But the ball security has been a real problem. One rep can leave you buzzing, and the next can leave you stunned by a costly fumble.
The Vikings have to decide whether that volatility is worth it at RB3.
Zavier Scott offers the other side of that coin. He may not bring the same flash, but he’s been a reliable presence, winning over teammates and coaches in 2025 and backing that up with solid runs this summer. Claiborne doesn’t seem likely to get cut, but if the Vikings keep four running backs, the fumble issues could push him behind Scott.
With Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason out, Saturday gives both backs a clean shot to make their case.
The defensive backfield may be the trickiest area on the roster. Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers are locked in at corner, but the picture gets hazier after that. James Pierre looked like the clear CB3 when he signed in free agency, yet rookie Charles “Chuck” Demmings has made enough noise in camp to create a real competition.
Demmings has been quieter this week, while Pierre helped his own cause by intercepting Lamar Jackson on Thursday to end a two-minute drill.
Safety is even more unsettled after the Vikings lost S/linebacker Jamal Adams for the season against the Giants. Third-round pick Jakobe Thomas has been dealing with a back injury and hasn’t been able to step in, which has opened the door for others. Undrafted rookie Jacob Thomas has taken full advantage, picking off the Giants and earning first-team reps at practice.
For Minnesota’s young defensive backs, Saturday is a chance to turn practice buzz into something more concrete before the 2026 picture starts to come into focus.
In Other News...
Kyler Murrays First Vikings Test Left Plenty For Fans To Process
Joint practices always have a way of cutting through the noise of training camp, and Minnesota got a useful snapshot of where its passing game stands against Baltimore. Kyler Murray was given plenty of work ahead of the regular season, and his first day brought a mix of sharp moments and some uneven stretches, especially when the offense had to operate in tighter windows.
There was still enough to remind Vikings fans why the exercise matters. Murray hit a few deep balls and closed the day on a high note with a late touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson, the kind of finish that leaves room for optimism even if the day itself did not look polished from start to finish. As with similar August tests in the past, the real value may come in what gets cleaned up before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Joint Practice Just Created A Serious Ravens Problem
A joint practice with the Vikings delivered a brutal blow for Baltimore, as center Danny Pinter went down with a torn patellar tendon and was carted off the field in a full-leg brace. He had been in line to step in for Tyler Linderbaum at center, making the injury more than just a preseason setback. It instantly turned what was supposed to be a useful summer tune-up into a roster problem the Ravens did not need.
Now Baltimore has to sort out the center spot while the preseason moves on, with Ethan Pocic and Jovaughn Gwyn among the names being considered. For the Vikings, the on-field work may have offered a sharp look at another team's depth chart, but the larger story is how quickly one practice can change the outlook for a key position before the real games even begin. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Camp Has Exposed Two Concerns Fans Cant Ignore
The early stretch of Vikings camp has offered plenty of reminders that August is rarely a straight line. Minnesota has had stretches where the quarterback play looks encouraging and others where the offense seems stuck searching for rhythm, leaving a mixed impression as the club inches toward the season opener. Even with the starters showing signs of being a legitimate strength, the overall feel has been uneven enough to keep attention on how quickly the group can settle in.
Minnesotas biggest concern may be what happens behind the first wave of defenders. The starters on that side of the ball look sturdy, but injuries and a thin veteran presence have made the depth chart feel a little too fragile at safety and on the edge. With roster decisions and player readiness still in flux, the Vikings are heading into September with a few questions that no one around the team can quite ignore. [Read more 🡒]