The Vikings thought enough of Demond Claiborne to use a sixth-round pick on him, but the rookie hasn’t come close to forcing his way into the mix yet.
That reality became even more obvious when Jordan Mason was placed on injured reserve Wednesday because of a thumb injury. On paper, that kind of opening should have helped Claiborne. Instead, the Vikings’ first response was to promote DeeJay Dallas from the practice squad, a move that says plenty about where Claiborne stands right now.
Dallas had already been elevated for game day last weekend and made his presence felt with a huge block on Myles Price’s kick return. His only touch in the offense came on a one-yard catch, but with Mason unavailable, the Vikings still need someone to handle work in the backfield. Head coach Kevin O’Connell’s comments on Wednesday pointed toward Dallas getting carries at Soldier Field on Sunday, which leaves Claiborne waiting again.
That’s a rough spot for a player who entered the season with some buzz, especially after the Vikings settled on Aaron Jones Sr. in March instead of moving on from him. A lot of fans wanted the team to add a young, explosive runner in the draft, and Claiborne eventually arrived late at No. 198 after names like Mike Washington Jr., Jonah Coleman, and Emmett Johnson were already gone.
The problem is that Claiborne’s camp never really built trust. He flashed the speed that made him appealing in the first place, ripping off breakaway runs and turning in a few eye-catching touchdowns that matched his college tape. The Vikings liked the idea of his big-play ability in their new outside run scheme, and assistant head coach Frank Smith was among those who saw the appeal.
But the same practices that showed his burst also exposed the rest of the package. Claiborne struggled badly in pass protection, which matters in O’Connell’s offense, and ball security became a real issue with multiple fumbles during camp.
One snap he looked like a home-run threat. The next, it was a missed assignment or a turnover waiting to happen.
That mix of explosive talent and ugly mistakes kept him on the 53-man roster, but it hasn’t earned him a real role yet. With Mason sidelined, the Vikings still don’t seem eager to hand Claiborne the ball. For now, he’s still trying to climb back into their good graces.
In Other News...
Vikings Already Face A Tough Chicago Question After First Injury Report
The first injury reports for Sundays game at Soldier Field already added a little extra intrigue to a Vikings-Bears matchup that had enough of its own built in. Minnesota is dealing with the loss of Jordan Mason to injured reserve because of a thumb injury, while Chicago listed right tackle Darnell Wright as out of practice with a knee issue. On top of that, both teams had a handful of other players limited or sitting out entirely, leaving the usual early-week uncertainty around who will actually be available by kickoff.
For the Vikings, the bigger picture goes beyond one report and into how much the roster can absorb this kind of attrition before a divisional game on the road. Chicagos injury list is worth watching too, especially on the offensive line, where Wrights status can shape the entire feel of the matchup. More updates are expected later in the week, and for a game with this much familiarity between the teams, the health chart may end up mattering just as much as the game plan. [Read more 🡒]
Brian Flores Faces A Bears Problem Vikings Fans Should Worry About
Ben Johnsons Chicago offense just put up a reminder of why the Bears can be a tricky matchup for Brian Flores defense. The ground game powered the day with 291 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and that kind of production is exactly the sort of thing that can stress a Vikings unit built to create chaos. Flores defense led the league in blitz rate in Week 1, but Johnsons heavy use of motion and misdirection is designed to make aggressive defenses think twice before they attack.
For Minnesota, the concern is not just one hot game from Chicago but the pattern Johnson has already established against Flores groups. His offenses have done well in those meetings before, which gives this upcoming matchup a familiar edge for the Bears and a lot to solve for the Vikings. If Minnesota cannot keep Johnsons run game from setting the terms, the rest of the defensive plan becomes a lot harder to trust. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Win Over Green Bay Said Everything About OConnells Focus
The first week of the season offered a familiar kind of evidence for Minnesota, but it was the sort that has nothing to do with a box score line or a social-media debate. Kevin OConnell has long preferred to frame the Vikings through the lens of execution and team result, and the opener against Green Bay fit that mold neatly, with the defense affecting Jordan Love far more than any individual number could capture. Around the division, even other coaches were talking about the hidden work that decides games, from blocking effort to communication up front.
OConnells point has always been that the Vikings are at their best when the conversation stays on winning and not on public perception. The Packers offensive issues underscored how quickly a game can tilt when the details slip, and Minnesotas head coach has made it clear he wants his own team measured the same way. In a league that often turns every performance into a referendum, that kind of focus can be a competitive edge all by itself. [Read more 🡒]