Vikings v Titans
Vikings players still fighting for their spot on a roster — either the Vikings’ or another team’s — have quite the stage to do so Friday night in their preseason finale against the Titans in Nashville: The Vikings’ first road trip is a nationally televised game (7 p.m., CBS).
“Always a good operation to go through that as a team, and what it’s like at the hotel and meetings and walk-throughs and things like that‚” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday. “Looking forward to seeing our team dialed in and coming off of what was a really positive week last week for the growth of what we’re trying to become.”
Many questions remain entering Friday’s game, with the Vikings’ wide receiver room leading our list of what to watch after a week of highs and lows:
1. Time for a WR to take their ‘opp’
This week, Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson returned to practice for the first time since late July and seems on track to play Week 1.
But Jalen Nailor was absent all week dealing with a hand injury, and more potential trouble came Wednesday as both Jordan Addison and rookie Tai Felton exited a camp-closing scrimmage early with what appeared to be hand/arm injuries.
The Vikings have already been planning for an Addison absence, as he’s suspended for the first three games of the season. If Nailor is not ready to go against the Bears on Sept. 8 (O’Connell called Nailor “week-to-week”), the No. 2 receiver spot alongside Jefferson is wide open.
For someone currently in the building to take that spot, they need to seize the opportunity Friday night with a big performance.
“I think there’s ability in that room,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said Wednesday. “There’s a lot of good, young football players. The thing with young football players is they just need an opp. ... We’ve got some guys that have shown, I think, enough, throughout training camp and the preseason to say that it’s not gonna be too big for ‘em.”
Only one receiver, Myles Price, has caught a touchdown through the Vikings’ first two preseason games. Tim Jones, who leads the team with 68 receiving yards, boasts the longest reception at 28 yards. No receiver has more than five total receptions.
2. Which QBs will see time?
It’s unknown whether the Vikings will play all three quarterbacks behind J.J. McCarthy on the depth chart again or how they will divide time.
Last year, the Vikings played only two quarterbacks in their preseason finale against the Eagles. Jaren Hall took the bulk of the reps and made the initial 53-man roster, but the Vikings waived him and added Brett Rypien two days later.
Sam Howell split reps with McCarthy in the team’s Wednesday scrimmage, which could be an indication the team doesn’t plan to play him Friday. But he’s also coming off a performance with just one completion and an interception last weekend.
After the 20-12 loss to the Patriots, O’Connell said he’s still learning what each of Howell, Rypien and rookie Max Brosmer can do.
“There’s a reason why we’re playing all three of them,” O’Connell said. “As far as, like, what that means, and the overall competition, I think I would just say it’s still open, and we’re trying to figure out what that room is going to look like for the season.”
3. New face in the mix for returns
Vikings special teams coordinator Matt Daniels acknowledged Wednesday some of the mistakes young players trying out roles within his phase of the game have made through two preseason games. He said decision-making is one of the key factors in determining who, if anyone, from the current crop of kick and punt returners earns the jobs in the regular season.
The Vikings continued to try different combinations on both return units during practice this week, with running back Zavier Scott entering the mix as a potential candidate.
Scott is ”an explosive guy,” Daniels said. “Can break tackles, stick his foot in the ground and get vertical. So we kind of see him as a guy who could possibly be a threat back there.”
4. Last look before cuts
The deadline for NFL teams to cut their rosters to 53 players is 3 p.m. Central on Tuesday.
The Vikings sat at least 31 players last week against the Patriots, including some players in No. 3 or role-player spots like cornerback Jeff Okudah and safety Theo Jackson.
While defensive lineman Harrison Phillips was dealt to the Jets in a trade Wednesday night, most, if not all, of the players who have been rested should have roster spots locked up.
That leaves about 23 active roster spots and 17 practice squad spots (including their International Pathway player, punter Oscar Chapman) for the Vikings to fill out.
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Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
We’ll be there tomorrow!!!! 7 of us going
What I got from that report is that there are still question marks with WR and QB after McCarthy. Also RB Scott is a lock.
Just glad the Vikings are apparently smarter than the Steelers. Derrick Harmon sprained his knee in their 3rd preseason game vs the Panthers. WTF was Harmon even doing in the game?
RS_Express wrote:
Just glad the Vikings are apparently smarter than the Steelers. Derrick Harmon sprained his knee in their 3rd preseason game vs the Panthers. WTF was Harmon even doing in the game?
Could have just as easily happened in a practice..
Reps are reps and football is a game with injuries.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
Is Romo available?
StickierBuns wrote:
That's what I said two weeks ago. Max is a QB2 in the making, should lock down QB3 and be on the roster for 2025. Love his poise and that arm is underrated.
I was texting a friend group and said Brosmer reminds me of Kirk Cousins with his set up and delivery. Nice arm, good anticipation and accuracy, can move a little when he has to...
The game doesn't seem too big for him. I think he'd look better with a better supporting cast around him.
Definitely something there to develop.
Watcher wrote:
They'd be fools not to put Brosmer on the 53 this year.
Yes they would. Brosmer is the #3 for sure.
Anyone catch why Ryipen went back in, in the 4th?
Came away impressed with the Wards. Both Cam and Jay. Also once again impressed by Brosmer. I've said it would be unlikely for the Vikings to backup their baby QB with another baby QB, and I still believe that. But I also believe that Brosmer is the 2nd best QB on our roster.
Because Howell didn't play I think that he's probably got QB2 locked up, which makes me very nervous. Pray for JJ to stay healthy. Rypien just didn't do what he needed to do to take that job away. And it was there for the taking. I think our QB room is what most thought it would be: JJ, Sam and Max.
I'm curious, did Ty Chandler even play last night? You'd think if he's truly fighting for the RB3 job with Scott, he would've been out there getting carries. So what gives? Is he on the trade block? And did everything change with the Scott injury?
My three favorite plays last night were all Brosmer pass plays...none of which were scoring plays. But they demonstrated he has "IT"
1). That early laser down the left sideline to hit the receiver in stride
2). There was a quick rush by the Titans and he had less than two seconds and he quickly threw it over the middle to a TE (I think). Quick read, quick reaction, he was dead meat with a slower reaction time, but he turned it into a short completion. That one spoke volumes about his reaction/read time (and accuracy).
3). My favorite: 4th and 4 and he floated a beauty into the outstretched hands of the WR...initially called a completion...but upon further review...you know the outcome. But what touch!!
AGRforever wrote:
Yes they would. Brosmer is the #3 for sure.
Anyone catch why Ryipen went back in, in the 4th?
I've run across two theories. One, they were giving Rypien a chance to displace Howell.
Two, Howell is so bad they aren't wasting any more time with him.
To me they both stink so take your pick. ;)
comet52 wrote:
I've run across two theories. One, they were giving Rypien a chance to displace Howell.
Two, Howell is so bad they aren't wasting any more time with him.
To me they both stink so take your pick. ;)
Stink is maybe too strong of a word.
Neither showed that they had the poise under duress as Brosmer.
After last night's performance, IMO Brosmer has earned QB2.
I do believe that they were rotating Rypien and Brosmer to see who was going to be QB3. It's Brosmer.
However, Brosmer showed enough to me that he should/could be QB2. But I am not the decision-maker here, and I think they are going to go with Howell as QB2, just because he had an entire season playing in this league.
All bets are off on QB2 until after the cut-downs next week...That said, Howell imo is QB2 for now (ick) and Brosmer is on the 53 at Qb3.
Same holds true for WR - doubt we do anything till after Tuesday.
I did not see Chandler play last night, read into that what you will...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
AGRforever wrote:
Anyone catch why Ryipen went back in, in the 4th?
I believe the announcers said the plan was for Ryipen and Bosmer to alternate quarters.
DeepFreeze05 wrote:
I believe the announcers said the plan was for Ryipen and Bosmer to alternate quarters.
At the time I thought KOC was given him a chance to put on more of a showing this game and some more on tape for teams to watch as well.
I dont think he played well enough to be on the roster for long.
In his six series, Brosmer was 15-of-23 for 161 yards and a touchdown.
“Max once again showed some of the things he’s shown throughout camp: Good decision-maker, made some plays buying a little time with his legs, converting some third downs via some tight completions,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said postgame.
Brosmer began the game against many of the Titans’ defensive starters, including defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons, but evaded any sacks a week after taking four at the hands of the Patriots defense.
Brosmer has both of the Vikings’ passing touchdowns this preseason. He tallied his second when he found tight end Bryson Nesbit over the middle of the field for a 21-yard scoring play in the third quarter.
“Bryson did an amazing job hitting the right spot and making the guy miss the tackle and score,” Brosmer said. “The protection was great, too. That play was great all around. It’s a good feeling.”
Rypien finished 7-of-14 for 62 yards with an interception. O’Connell said Rypien was evaluated for a concussion midgame following a hit on which he threw an interception.
2. Reichard tries from 63
Vikings second-year kicker Will Reichard attempted a 63-yard field goal that fell short just before halftime. It would have been the longest of his career had he made the kick. His current personal best is a 58-yarder against the Texans last September; he tied that Friday night during the fourth quarter.
Reichard split even on kicks, making two (42 and 58) and missing two (63 and 55). Oscar Chapman, in a battle with Ryan Wright for the punting job, bobbled the snap on the miss from 55 yards. Wright was the holder on the other three kicks.
3. Price the sole punt returner
Myles Price returned one punt for 3 yards and fair caught two others. He had a 30-yard return negated by a holding penalty. No other players saw time at the position Friday.
Price is an interesting case for a roster spot as the Vikings must make decisions by Tuesday on their 53-man roster. He has not moved up the wide receiver depth chart but seems the leading candidate at punt returner.
4. Did Scott take an edge on RB3?
The Vikings sat fourth-year running back Ty Chandler, handing the reins to undrafted free agent Zavier Scott to start the night.
Scott finished with five carries for 28 yards, playing only the first quarter due to what O’Connell said was a right ankle injury.
“We’ve gotta work through the numbers, position-wise, what we’re gonna be doing, keeping, really trying to envision what the team’s gonna look like,” O’Connell said. “It’s not always set in stone, those numbers, but in my opinion, he’s absolutely done enough to warrant real conversation.”
Scott also appeared on kick returns, taking Tennessee’s opening kick 29 yards. The Vikings moved Scott into the mix on returns this past week of practice as they continue to assess their options.
Running back reps also went to Tre Stewart and Xazavian Valladay. Stewart had five carries for 22 yards; Valladay, signed on Tuesday, carried eight times for 39 yards to lead the team.
5. Felton misses game
Rookie receiver Tai Felton did not play Friday but was at the game in street clothes. Felton exited a team scrimmage during Wednesday’s practice because of an apparent hand or arm injury.
“He was close to being able to go, but he was pretty sore coming out of that,” O’Connell said. “We have no real long-term concerns, it was more just a matter of him getting a lot of reps the other day. ... He had some moments the other day before ultimately getting a little banged up that showed some real growth.”
Lucky Jackson, Jeshaun Jones and Thayer Thomas started at wide receiver, and the Vikings leaned on their tight ends and running backs for pass-game support with 15 different players targeted.
Dontae Fleming led with 53 receiving yards on two catches, but he couldn’t corral a deep pass from Brosmer while going to the ground on fourth-and-4 in the third quarter.
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Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Brosmer looks legit, he has a lot of things you just can't teach, which are great instincts, quick decision making and confidence. I believe KOC really likes Howell and he is cemented as the 3. As PF said, I think the Rypien reps were to help him try to get with another team.
Thought the new RB they picked up looked really good. I think he could end up on the PS. None of the next tier of WRs really stood out this preseason, pulling for J Jones, seems like a great kid who has worked exceptionally hard.
The CB room is an even bigger mess than I had thought. Not sure what they were thinking, but it is embarrassing, there was no one on the field last night who looked legit. Steward was the only one I saw making a play on the ball. Blackmon and McGlothern look lost, I don't even see them making the team except by default. For a team counting on two big question marks in Rogers and Okudah, we are going to need to hope for some surprise cuts this week that we can pick up.
JR44 wrote:
Brosmer looks legit, he has a lot of things you just can't teach, which are great instincts, quick decision making and confidence. I believe KOC really likes Howell and he is cemented as the 3. As PF said, I think the Rypien reps were to help him try to get with another team.Thought the new RB they picked up looked really good. I think he could end up on the PS. None of the next tier of WRs really stood out this preseason, pulling for J Jones, seems like a great kid who has worked exceptionally hard.
The CB room is an even bigger mess than I had thought. Not sure what they were thinking, but it is embarrassing, there was no one on the field last night who looked legit. Steward was the only one I saw making a play on the ball. Blackmon and McGlothern look lost, I don't even see them making the team except by default. For a team counting on two big question marks in Rogers and Okudah, we are going to need to hope for some surprise cuts this week that we can pick up.
Wouldnt surprise me in the least if they add a DB (or even 2) next week after cut-downs.
That said, all those guys will look better when the #1's are playing - and Flores isnt playing vanilla schemes.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Watching the two QBs live. Brosmer went through several progressions. Rypein did not. Rypein at best used half the field. He was less accurate by a lot.
It’s really not close. If Brosmer isn’t the 3rd QB then it wasn’t an open competition.
Quite frankly, if he isn’t #2 something is up.
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