Tai Felton is poised to push for the Vikings’ WR4 in 2025, a path sharpened by Addison’s three-game suspension and Nailor’s hand injury. Minnesota could also add a veteran WR this week to fortify the opening slate. Felton’s speed and open-field burst stand out, but preseason return struggles and questions about an expanded offensive role loom large.

Felton’s fate hinges on translating training-camp gains into Week 1 trust. If he can grow beyond just a return threat and carve out a few targets, his fantasy value could rise as depth thins in Minnesota’s pass game, especially as the season progresses and Felton proves he belongs in the offense.

Vikings preseason finale in Nashville doubles as a high-stakes audition for players aiming to lock up spots ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man cut. The biggest storyline centers around the receiver room: Jefferson is easing back into practice and appears likely to play Week 1, but Addison’s three-game suspension leaves the No. 2 slot open. Nailor’s hand injury and Felton/Brosmer/H Howell mix add more intrigue to the depth chart. The Vikings will also weigh return duties as they test several youngsters, while the QB rotation remains open after Howell, McCarthy and Brosmer shuffled reps. Friday’s game is the final big stage before cuts, with roughly 23 active roster spots and 17 practice-squad slots up for grabs.

On special teams, Matt Daniels is evaluating decision-making and return unit chemistry, with Zavier Scott and Ty Chandler among the new faces pushing for kick and punt return jobs. The returns competition, plus the wideout standstill behind Jefferson, shapes how Minnesota enters the regular season. The coaching staff emphasizes growth and opps for young players as they dial in what the roster will look like for the Bears and beyond.

Justin Jefferson returned to practice for the first time in 25 days, but only in warmups and individual drills as Minnesota continues to manage his left hamstring. With a Week 1 date against Chicago looming and the Vikings’ wideout corps unsettled, Jefferson’s health is a cornerstone for fantasy projections. Jordan Addison will miss the first three games due to a suspension, lifting Jefferson’s early-season workload while Nailor recovers from a hand injury. Minnesota’s WR mix—veterans Tim Jones, Lucky Jackson and Thayer Thomas plus rookie Tai Felton—will be leaned on more heavily while Addison sits out.

Jefferson’s comments about wanting to be “in the mix” highlight his commitment, but the team’s cautious approach remains intact. Nailor’s status is listed as week-to-week, with surgery possibly on the table, leaving the Vikings to navigate a rotation that could elevate Jefferson’s target share early but also raises volatility for the offense. The Titans in the preseason finale and Chicago in Week 1 frame a rough but telling path for Minnesota’s passing game as it eyes elevated opportunities for its star and a deeper, perhaps more unpredictable, receiving corps.

Minnesota’s rookie class delivered in a 20-10 preseason win over Houston, with four of five picks taking the field. Gavin Bartholomew sat on the PUP list, but the rest of the rookie contingent flashed in limited action, led by Max Brosmer’s poised showing at quarterback and Tai Felton’s two-catch, first-down drives plus a notable punt-coverage moment. On defense, Kobe King and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins logged solid snaps, while Silas Bolden and Tyler Batty offered intriguing special-teams and situational looks. The results hint at depth battles to watch as roster cut days approach.