The Vikings’ practice squad is mostly set after a busy stretch from Sunday through Tuesday, and the group comes with a little bit of everything: obvious stash candidates, veteran depth pieces and a few names that feel one phone call away from the active roster.
One of the more interesting holdovers is the undrafted corner out of North Texas. He spent time with the second-team defense this summer and might have had a real shot at the 53 if Da'Veawn Armstead fit better outside than at nickel. Even so, he has the kind of edge Brian Flores tends to like from his corners - aggressive, feisty and never shy.
Dillon Bell is another player Minnesota clearly wanted to keep close. In most years, he probably finds his way onto the roster, but the rise of Tai Felton and Myles Price made six receivers too crowded a room. After a strong minicamp and a quieter camp and preseason, the Vikings were able to slip him through waivers and keep him around.
Michael Briscoe arrived as Nolan Teasley’s first addition at general manager, and he also spent time with Seattle in 2026 before being released with a rare "failure to disclose physical condition" designation. Teasley still saw enough to bring him in, and the appeal is obvious: he’s a big-bodied receiver in the Jauan Jennings mold, even if he’s already 24.
Max Brosmer might be the most polarizing name in the bunch. Even after the mess that was 2025 and a preseason that didn’t do much to quiet the noise, the Vikings still value him enough to keep him on the practice squad rather than roll the dice on a reclamation project like Will Levis.
Henry Byrd’s path was a little different. His preseason had its ups and downs, but at 27, he didn’t have the same runway that younger players got. What keeps him interesting is the versatility - he can line up inside or outside when needed.
DeeJay Dallas is one of the more seasoned additions, with 84 games under his belt. He gives Minnesota a dependable running back and a return option if Myles Price ever has to miss time. That makes him a pretty savvy pickup.
At tight end, Cam Grandy brings size at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds and, first and foremost, blocking ability. It isn’t a flashy move, but with the future of the position still unsettled, there’s a chance he can work his way into something next year.
Kahlef Hailassie had the kind of preseason moment that sticks. He was the one bright spot in the Broncos blowout to close out the preseason, and his interception on Friday night showed why he keeps popping up around the ball. His path to the 53-man roster got tougher with Jacob Thomas emerging, but the ability is there.
Naquan Jones is another veteran who has produced when given opportunities. The 28-year-old nose tackle had three sacks with Arizona in 2024, and Texans fans were reportedly disappointed to lose him this week.
Bangally Kamara didn’t make a major impression this summer and looks more like a special-teams piece than a defensive contributor right now. Jack Nelson, meanwhile, has the kind of frame teams always chase at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, and his Wisconsin background gives him a little extra intrigue after a season with Atlanta and an injury settlement release.
Bryce Phillips, the younger brother of Atlanta’s Clark, is a nickel corner with limited upside. He played 54 defensive snaps in two preseason games and finished with a 66.9 coverage grade on Pro Football Focus.
Jahvaree Ritzie might be one of the more intriguing developmental names on the list. He flashed in the preseason by getting into Denver’s backfield several times, and his college pick-six from 80 yards out says plenty about the kind of athletic big man he can be.
Trayvon Rudolph adds another layer of return-game insurance. The former Seahawks receiver came to Minnesota in June, and in three preseason games he returned three kickoffs for 64 yards and handled three punt returns for 30 yards, with one fair catch mixed in.
Tavierre Thomas is exactly the sort of player teams appreciate and agonize over at the same time. He worked as a primary gunner for the Vikings last year, but he also ended up involved in a number of costly penalties. With the safety room crowded, he lands on the practice squad as a natural special teams call-up.
And then there’s Kyle Van Noy, the veteran edge rusher who starts on the practice squad but probably won’t stay there long. The Vikings are likely to elevate him sooner rather than later, and a reunion with Flores gives the two-time Super Bowl winner a chance to become a real part of Minnesota’s defense.
In Other News...
Vikings Are Sending A Clear Message About J.J. McCarthy
The Vikings are leaving little doubt about where J.J. McCarthy stands heading into the opener against Green Bay. General manager Nolan Teasley said the quarterback is expected to be on the roster for Week 1, a notable checkpoint for a player whose early career has been shaped by injuries but who has recently been a full participant in practice.
McCarthys availability has become part of the larger conversation around Minnesotas plans, especially with the organization continuing to talk up his talent and development. For now, the message from the front office is clear enough: the team believes he is moving in the right direction, and the real test will come when the roster is set for the Packers. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Quarterback Drama Is Creating An Opening Few Fans Expected
Questions about J.J. McCarthys place in the Vikings future have become part of the conversation again, and general manager Nolan Teasley didnt try to close the door on them. McCarthy arrived as a first-round pick, and Teasley made clear his story in Minnesota is still unfolding after only ten starts, even as the team has moved on to Kyler Murray at the top of the depth chart.
Murrays arrival has shifted the spotlight in a way that may actually suit him, since he has been able to work through training camp with less media scrutiny than McCarthy drew as the franchise hopeful. For a Vikings team that has seen past success in seasons shaped by quarterback uncertainty, the current dynamic creates an opening that few fans expected, and it leaves McCarthys next chapter very much in play. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings May Already Have C.J. Hams Successor In Place
C.J. Hams retirement after 10 years in Minnesota leaves the Vikings with a familiar kind of hole, one that matters more than it might outside the building. The fullback role has never been glamorous, but it has long been part of the identity of this offense, especially when the Vikings want to lean into physical football and make life easier for their backs and tight ends.
Enter Max Bredeson, the fifth-round pick who already looks like a logical fit for that job. He is expected to bring the kind of blocking and versatility the Vikings value, and his ability to work in heavy packages alongside T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver gives Minnesota some flexibility as it shifts toward a more run-heavy approach. The question now is less about whether the role will be filled and more about how quickly Bredeson can make it his own. [Read more 🡒]