The Vikings’ preseason is over, and Friday night in Denver gave Minnesota one last batch of roster clues before Sunday’s 5 p.m. CST deadline. The result was ugly, with the Broncos pounding the Vikings in the finale, but the game still delivered a handful of performances - and a couple of injuries - that could shape the final 53-man roster.
The biggest early concern came on the opening drive, when rookie safety Jacob Thomas hurt his ankle. It did not look good, and that’s a tough blow for a player some believed had done enough this summer to make the team.
Minnesota did get its first look at rookie safety Jakobe Thomas, who had missed the first two preseason games because of injury. The third-round pick was out there for most of the night and finished with five tackles.
Another young defender who flashed both upside and rough edges was rookie cornerback Charles Demmings. He broke up a pass while covering Troy Franklin on the opening drive, then later whiffed badly on a tackle attempt against Tyler Badie. That kind of night summed up where Demmings is right now: plenty of potential, but still a work in progress before he’s ready for meaningful defensive snaps.
There were a few more notable snaps from players trying to carve out roles. Chaz Chambliss lined up at fullback in the first half and caught a pass in the first quarter, which sparked a big reaction from Minnesota’s sideline. He then went back to his usual spot on defense after halftime and added a tackle.
Kahlef Hailassie also made a strong case for attention with an interception in the second quarter, jumping a pass from Broncos quarterback Sam Ehlinger.
On special teams, rookie punter Bret Thorson handled the holding duties for Will Reichard’s first field-goal try, a make from 46 yards. Thorson also had a solid punting night, averaging more than 50 yards per punt and pinning two kicks inside Denver’s 20. But Johnny Hekker matched him with a strong showing of his own, and Hekker was the holder on Reichard’s other make from 28 yards.
Minnesota also had to deal with another injury when undrafted rookie linebacker Jacob Roberts went down with a knee issue in the third quarter. The hope is that it won’t keep him out long, especially with a real chance to make the roster.
And there was at least one encouraging offensive performance to close things out. Second-year tight end Gavin Bartholomew had a productive night, highlighted by a second-quarter catch in which he shook a Broncos defender for a 12-yard gain. He finished with five catches for 26 yards as he tries to win Minnesota’s No. 3 tight end job.
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