Seven days from the final Vikings preseason, a light session at TCO Performance Center still mapped out the team’s immediate roster landscape. Matthew Coller breaks down which role players must seize their moment in Friday’s Titans game to remain in consideration. The focus lands on the offense’s depth chart behind Addison and Jefferson, with McCarthy operating the offense in a controlled, walk-through setting that emphasized route timing, clock management, and two-minute execution.

Wide receivers behind Jordan Addison and Jaylen Naylor are under the microscope. Lucky Jackson has momentum but must prove his hands with four or five catches, while Tim Jones and Theer Thomas look to convert opportunities into a consistent role. Ty Felton’s speed and return ability also factor, along with Xavier Scott’s late-season potential and Miles Price’s breakout flashes. At quarterback, Sam Howell and Max Brosmer headline the intrigue, with Brett Ripien on the fringe as a potential QB2 depending on practice tempo. The special-teams battle between Oscar Chapman and Ryan Wright looms large, as does the question of whether the Vikings add a veteran playmaker before cutdown day. Overall, the Titans game is cast as a high-leverage showcase for several players who could swing the roster timeline if they deliver on Friday night.

Kicking off a Vikings–Patriots joint-practice recap, Minnesota’s show of depth in all phases prompts a fresh 53-man projection. The centerpiece: three-quarterback depth remains intact with momentum for Max Brommer to overtake Brett Ripen by the final cut, while Ty Chandler and Xavier Scott duel for RB3 behind Aaron Jones. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison anchor the WR corps, but Addison’s looming suspension reshapes early-week targets. CJ Ham’s fullback/Tight End vibes persist, and the O-line rotations tighten around Darasaw, O’Neill, and Jurgens. The defense features Genard and Will Campbell stir, with Harrison Smith reinforcing the secondary. The episode leans into late-preseason evaluations, noting potential free-agent WR additions like Brandon Powell and the evolving special-teams picture, culminating in a detailed, still-fluid 53-man roster timeline and a sense of Vikings’ elevated floors heading into Week 1.

Minnesota’s joint practice with New England produced a high-octane, data-driven showcase of the Vikings’ offense under JJ McCarthy, with Jordan Addison seizing the moment as the primary win-rate target in Jefferson’s absence. McCarthy exhibited quick reads, accurate intermediate throws, and notable two-minute-drill execution, moving the ball efficiently and carving up a savvy Patriots defense despite heavy pressure up front. Donovan Jackson’s elite screen-work and the re-emergence of Christian Darasaw on the line added tangible offensive upside, while the team’s evolving depth at wide receiver—led by Lucky Jackson, Tim Jones, and rookies like Zamaya Vaughn and Xavier Scott—kept the WR competition wide open. The defense pressured but Vikings’ blockers adjusted, and the red-zone/short-yardage horizon tomorrow will be the true test of McCarthy’s growth arc and the offense’s ceiling this preseason.

Joint practices between Minnesota and New England sharpen the Vikings’ evaluative lens as veterans rest and reserves push for reps. Jefferson’s absence underscores the depth players stepping up in the run-up to Week 1, with Lucky Jackson seizing his chance after Rondale Moore’s injury. Vrabel’s team-objectives and the Vikings’ game-planned looks highlight a season-steadying arc, where the offense must translate practice tempo into production. The week ahead promises a clearer read on McCarthy’s progression and the passing game’s ceiling, with notable roster questions looming.

Lucky Jackson’s compelling arc—practice-squad grind to meaningful reps—frames the camp narrative as the schedule tightens toward the preseason. He’s joined by a supporting cast that includes Jefferson and Addison, while Hawkinson’s early involvement signals a practical, attack-minded offense. The XFL-to-NFL journey, the run game emerging behind Darasaw’s health, and Brosmer’s late-week flashes all paint a picture: Minnesota’s offense looks capable of grinding out efficient, timely plays even if the floor remains a work in progress.

Purple Insider’s Vikings preseason recap centers on breakout backup performances and roster-shaping questions. Joe Huber delivered a staggering 94.7 grade, forcing evaluators to rethink the backup guard/center dynamics behind the starting unit as Walter Rouse flashed left/right tackle versatility. Xavier Scott impressed as a Mr. Mano-like playmaker at receiver/running back depth, while Lucky Jackson’s strong showing cements him as a legitimate WR3 option behind Jefferson and Addison. Max Brosmer’s poised command and quick release kept the QB depth chart alive, with Gabe Murphy and Elijah Williams highlighting a disruptive edge presence that could push rotation debate on the front seven. Zamaya Vaughn showed solid coverage and targets, adding to a crowded but intriguing group of depth players for November practice squad considerations. Donovan Jackson’s early pass protection hiccup remains a poke at the starter path, while the O-line’s overall health and Darasaw’s status loom over Week 1 projections. The chat also teased potential near-term additions at returner and center to shore up special teams and the depth chart as cutdowns approach.

As the Vikings head into joint practices with New England, the emphasis shifts to evaluating behind-the-scenes roles. The QB depth picture hinges on Brosmer’s progress and Howell’s performance under vanilla defenses—both will influence how aggressively Minnesota pursues veteran help or keeps faith with its current mix. The receiver room’s evolution, especially Lucky Jackson’s trajectory, will determine whether Minnesota carries a fourth pass-c catcher or bridges with duel-threat options like Rod Moore or Amari Cooper rumors. On defense, Murphy, Williams, Chamblas, and Vaughn are the names to watch as the team weighs development versus ready-made depth. For fantasy managers, this batch of UDFA and depth players signals notable late-round considerations and potential waiver-wire targets as rosters firm up.