Connect with us

Sports

Projecting the Vikings’ Starting Lineup After the 2026 Roster Cuts

Published

on

Advertisement

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson at New York Giants in 2025
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) makes a catch against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Well, that was a wild day for news.

The Minnesota Vikings are now down to 53 players. The focus can shift toward that Week 1 Packers game. Who is going to be in the Vikings’ starting lineup? Glad you asked. Consider what things could plausibly look like rolling into the NFC North battle on Sunday, September 13th.

Oh, and for the record, neither of Kevin O’Connell nor Nolan Teasley asked for my opinion. They know how to reach me if they’re interested in my advice.

Advertisement

Projecting the Vikings’ Starting Lineup

The Vikings’ Offense

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) talks with Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) and head coach Kevin O’Connell before the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
LT Christian Darrisaw LG Donovan Jackson C Blake Brandel RG Will Fries RT Brian O’Neill
QB Kyler Murray
RB Jordan Mason
WR Justin Jefferson WR Jauan Jennings TE T.J. Hockenson WR Jordan Addison

— READ MORE: Vikings Cuts Start Piling Up as Deadline Nears
— READ MORE: A Kevin O’Connell Sounds Like the Kiss of Death for 1 QB
— READ MORE: A Final Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection

Part of what makes the Vikings compelling is the promise to be more multiple than in the past.

TE2 Josh Oliver is going to demand playing time (rightfully so; he’s awesome). So is rookie FB Max Bredeson (rightfully so; he’s awesome). Seeing Oliver, Bredeson, and Jennings all blocking on a Mason run is going to be a good football moment. Could Chaz Chambliss somehow get worked into the mix?

Coach O’Connell would be wise to figure out how to run the ball.

Advertisement

The Vikings’ Defense

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7), cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) and defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (61) tackle Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel DT Jalen Redmond DT Levi Drake Rodriguez EDGE Dallas Turner
LB Eric Wilson LB Blake Cashman
CB Isaiah Rodgers S Josh Metellus S Theo Jackson CB Byron Murphy CB James Pierre

Similar to the offense, the Vikings’ defense is going to be multiple.

Expect rookie DT Domonique Orange and LB Jake Golday to earn significant workloads. Likewise, S Jacob Thomas is on an upward trajectory, but we’ll see what that means as a rookie. After all, he’s an undrafted talent who has already done much to overcome the odds.

Questions: who gets to start alongside Metellus? What does 2026 look like for Caleb Banks?

The Vikings’ Special Teams

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Nov 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Will Reichard (16) kicks a field goal out of the hold of punter Ryan Wright (17) against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
K Will Reichard P Brett Thorson LS Andrew DePaola

Nothing to see here, folks.

Where there’s some mystery is at returner. Myles Price will be the PR1. Does Tai Felton get leaned on as the PR2 if there’s an injury?

As for kickoff return, the candidates consist of Price, Felton, Demond Claiborne, Dillon Bell, and maybe some others. A job to watch.

Advertisement

avatar

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Man City transfer news LIVE Cody Gakpo latest plus Enzo Fernandez updates and deal done

Published

on

It may be a Bank Holiday in the UK but that does not mean it will be a slow one at City. The transfer window closes at 11pm tomorrow and there are still deals for City to do before the market shuts until January. City’s main focus is likely to be on incomings. Palmeiras’ Allan is set to sign but the Blues still want another forward. Liverpool’s Gakpo is on their radar.

Crunch talks are expected with Chelsea between now and the 11pm deadline to finalise a move for Fernandez. The Argentina international would complete City’s midfield rebuild, were he to sign. Everton’s Ndiaye is also thought to be on City’s radar and Grealish could be used as a makeweight to complete the deal.

Stay tuned for updates…

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

San Beda coach confident of guard rotation despite key loss

Published

on

San Beda Red Lions coach Yuri EscuetaSan Beda Red Lions coach Yuri Escueta

San Beda Red Lions coach Yuri Escueta during the Filoil Preseason Tournament Finals.–FILOIL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—San Beda will have to make do without one of its key players in its NCAA title defense in the upcoming Season 102 men’s basketball tournament.

After losing stars Janti Miller, Bryan Sajonia and Joe Celzo, the Red Lions also won’t have the services of starting guard Nygel Gonzales, who suffered a torn ACL in the offseason.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Losing Nygel is very big for us, especially since he’s a big part of our defensive schemes,” coach Yuri Escueta told the Inquirer during the league’s pre-season press conference on Monday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Advertisement

READ: Janti Miller transfers to La Salle from San Beda

When asked who would take on the mantle as the Red Lions’ premier guard, Escueta joked he’s the next man up.

“Sabi ko ako na lang, e. Ako na lang mag-point guard,” the former Ateneo guard said in jest. (I told them I’d do it. I’ll play point guard.)

Kidding aside, Escueta remains confident that the team has other guards who have what it takes to step up.

Article continues after this advertisement
Advertisement

“We have capable guards. I’m very confident with our guard rotation. We have Jimmy Reyes, Penny (Estacio), Maco Dabao and Dan Marcelo.”

Gonzales was a key part of San Beda’s NCAA Finals sweep of rival Letran last season, averaging 16.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds.

“His recovery is looking very positive. He’s in his third month and he’s running and jumping now. We’re very happy with the process of his recovery,” said Escueta o



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Advertisement


Your subscription has been successful.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Jaja Santiago-Minowa, Creamline turn back Nxled

Published

on

Jaja Santiago Minowa Creamline vs Nxled PVL Invitational ConferenceJaja Santiago Minowa Creamline vs Nxled PVL Invitational Conference

Jaja Santiago-Minowa makes her debut for Creamline in the PVL Invitational Conference against Nxled.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jaja Santiago-Minowa lived up to the hype surrounding her Creamline debut in the PVL Invitational Conference on Monday.

Playing in her first official game in a PVL conference after five years, Minowa led the Cool Smashers to a 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, over Nxled at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Article continues after this advertisement

Minowa delivered 19 points, nailing 17 of her 30 attack attempts on top of a block and an ace.

Advertisement

READ: Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santiago show old connection at Creamline

The Filipino-born Japanese citizen was backstopped by Jema Galanza, who had 17 points, 14 digs, and 11 excellent receptions. Tots Carlos had 14 points, while Alyssa Valdez had 13 points and 12 receptions.

Creamline setter Kyle Negrito tossed 31 excellent sets alongside six points.

The Cool Smashers eye their second win against Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Article continues after this advertisement
Advertisement

Jonah Sabete-Escamillan and EJ Cariño led the Chameleons in the third set as they continued to miss Brooke Van Sickle due to a shoulder injury.

READ: Jaja Santiago makes winning Creamline debut in PVL On Tour

Escamillan had 20 points, 25 receptions, and 11 digs. Cariño had 18 points, while MJ Phillips added 11.

Nxled seeks to bounce back against defending champion PLDT on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Advertisement


Your subscription has been successful.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Manchester City complete signing of £32m winger as spending spree continues

Published

on

Allan Elias said it was surreal and the proudest moment of his life to join Manchester City after completing his £32m move to the FA Cup winners.

The uncapped Brazilian has signed a five-year deal with City, who could pay Palmeiras a further £2m in add-ons.

The 22-year-old becomes one of the replacements for Savinho and Omar Marmoush, who have gone to Tottenham in deals that could earn City up to £145m, and may be the first of two wingers recruited at the end of the transfer window.

City are also interested in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye as they look for further options in attack, while, in a busy final couple of days of the summer trading, they face a decision whether to bid for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.

Allan’s arrival takes City’s summer spending to more than £250m, though they have already brought in more than that, even before Marmoush’s loan to Spurs becomes a permanent deal.

Advertisement

Allan, who made 96 appearances for Palmeiras, said: “This is a surreal moment for me. Manchester City, with everything they have won over the past 15 years, are one of the most attractive clubs in the world for players. To be able to sit here today and say I have joined them is the proudest moment of my life.

“I love Palmeiras and always will – but the decision to come to City was an easy one. I want to be the best footballer I can be and the conversations I’ve had with the people at City so far has convinced me there isn’t a better place for me to fulfil my ambitions.

“My intention is to help City continue winning trophies. If I can do that, it would be a dream come true.”

Allan’s former Palmeiras teammate Vitor Reis sent him a message when he was considering joining City and they will link up again at the Etihad Stadium.

Advertisement

And City director of football Hugo Viana believes his new signing’s fighting spirit and work ethic mean he can have a big impact.

Viana said: “Allan is a really exciting player, and we think he will be a big addition to the squad. He has shown throughout his short career so far that he will fight to be the best he can be. Coming to Manchester and taking on the challenge of being a City player is another example of that.

“We watched his progress in Brazil and saw a player that thrives in the big moments and works hard for the team with a superb attitude. Everyone is very happy that he has joined us and we look forward to seeing him grow with City.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Ligue 1: New leaders Monaco defeat Marseille thanks to Brunner – Sports

Published

on

One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site.

Monaco's German forward #29 Paris Brunner celebrates holding the "Man of the Match" trophy after winning the French L1 football match between AS Monaco and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at the Stade Louis II in the Principality of Monaco on August 30, 2026.
Cover image: Monaco’s German forward #29 Paris Brunner celebrates holding the “Man of the Match” trophy after winning the French L1 football match between AS Monaco and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at the Stade Louis II in the Principality of Monaco on August 30, 2026. © Valéry Hache, AFP

From the show

Advertisement

Sports


Reading time
1 min

AS Monaco beat Olympique de Marseille 2–0 thanks to their new rising star, Paris Brunner. With this victory, Monaco (6 points) are the sole leaders of Ligue 1 after two matchdays.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

2026 Week 1 Power Rankings for CFB Teams in the West

Published

on


  By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports


It was only Week Zero, and the Mountain West’s Playoff hopes are already cooked.

UNLV was the lone program in the conference viewed as a playoff contender. Losing to Memphis at home underlines a hierarchy: The American > Mountain West.

The American is coming off a strong 2025 season and has now further distanced itself from the revamped MWC.

Advertisement

So how does that affect teams out West?

For Week One, there are no Mountain West teams in the Top 10.

Here’s how they stack up.

Oregon Ducks Logo

1. Oregon (0-0, 0-0) ◄►

Every season opener is important. But this game against Boise State feels different.

Advertisement

The Broncos are now in the Pac-12, and the Ducks are looking to make a statement.

These are the types of matchups that Dan Lanning thrives in. High pressure, high expectations.

The spread is currently set at 24. It might not be high enough.

usc logo

2. USC (0-0, 1-0) ◄►

The final score against San Jose State is meaningless.

Advertisement

Most of the points were scored against the third-string players in the 4th quarter. The Trojans dominated with their starters.

It was an odd Week Zero matchup with limited fan attendance. Check the box and move on.

Fresno State on Friday night is coming up quick.

BYU Cougars logo

3. BYU (0-0, 0-0) ◄►

After a long offseason, football is finally back.

Advertisement

The Cougars host a terrible Utah Tech team on Saturday for the opener. The Vegas oddsmakers currently have the spread at 50 points.

The real test is in Week Two when Arizona makes the trip to Provo.

For now, staying healthy is the main objective.

Washington football logo

4. Washington (0-0, 0-0) ◄►

The Apple Cup is receiving special treatment this year. The game is set for Sunday afternoon on NBC.

Advertisement

The unique circumstances present an opportunity for the program to seize.

Demond Williams Jr. is one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

A large margin of victory against a rival would be a great start to the year.

Utah Utes logo

5. Utah (0-0, 0-0) ◄►

Expectations are high for Utah. The Utes enter the year ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll.

Advertisement

Devon Dampier proved his efficiency in the Big 12 and returns for the new era.

Morgan Scalley has waited years for this moment.

Only time will tell just how good this Utah team really is.

Boise State Broncos logo

6. Boise State (0-0, 0-0) ◄►

The Broncos are about to walk into a firestorm.

Advertisement

Forget the series history. This is the new Oregon football. This is Dan Lanning’s version of the Ducks.

Nobody is expecting Boise State to be competitive.

If the game is close, the program will gain respect. If it’s a blowout, the Pac-12 will have a bad result to deal with.

Arizona football logo

7. Arizona (0-0, 0-0) ◄►

Noah Fifita starts his redshirt senior season with a matchup against Northern Arizona.

Advertisement

The game presents an opportunity for live-action reps with his retooled receiving corps.

Most of the attention, however, will be focused on Arizona’s secondary.

The Wildcats lost several key players and need contributors to emerge.

Cal bears logo

8. California (0-0, 0-0) ◄►

It’s a new era in Berkeley. And it begins with a bang.

Advertisement

The Bears host UCLA at Memorial Stadium for a critical game.

One result never defines a program. But a victory here would jumpstart the trajectory under Tosh Lupoi.

Run the score up on them, and the hype will only be larger.

ASU Sun Devis logo

9. Arizona State (0-0, 0-0) ◄►

Cutter Boley has been named the starting quarterback for the Sun Devils.

Advertisement

It was expected ever since he committed to Arizona State out of the portal.

Entering the opener with clarity, it’s time to run the score up.

Anything less than a convincing blowout against Morgan State would be questionable.

San Diego State Aztecs logo

10. San Diego State (0-0, 0-0) ▲NR

The Aztecs enter the season with momentum.

Advertisement

Sean Lewis led the team to nine wins last year, and the new Pac-12 is up for the taking.

The Week Two matchup at UCLA is a Litmus Test. Beat the Bruins in Pasadena, and the respect will grow.

SDSU enters the year as one of the favorites in the rebuilt Conference.

Dropped Out: UNLV

Advertisement
Dane Miller
Latest posts by Dane Miller (see all)

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Filip Hrgovic rates Moses Itauma’s power after surviving his best shots to win world title

Published

on

Filip Hrgovic has assessed the power of Moses Itauma after absorbing his best shots, round after round, and eventually securing a remarkable come-from-behind stoppage.

The Croatian became his country’s first-ever world heavyweight champion last Saturday, pulling off a major upset to outlast home favourite Itauma at London’s O2 Arena.

Hrgovic had lost every round, almost to the point where he was becoming a human punching bag, while Itauma looked set to become the second-youngest world heavyweight champion in history.

Advertisement

After going for the stoppage in round eight, though, it seemed the 21-year-old had emptied his gas tank and no longer had the energy to dominate their contest.

This allowed Hrgovic to capitalise in the following round, initially wobbling Itauma with a right hand before his sustained onslaught inspired referee Howard Foster to draw a halt.

As a result, the 34-year-old claimed the vacant IBF title which had previously belonged to Oleksandr Usyk, who vacated his three belts in June.

Offering his immediate reaction to DAZN, Hrgovic hailed the speed of Itauma but insisted a lack of experience, and indeed his amateur-like style, meant the precocious talent never put a dent in him. As for Itauma’s power, Hrgovic believes his past knockouts are perhaps more down to speed than raw power.

Advertisement

“He’s amazing. I didn’t know it was going to be so hard. He’s so fast – you don’t see his punches coming.

“He don’t hit so hard, but he’s fast. He still boxes like an amateur and he’s inexperienced. I saw he was gassing out and I knew my only chance was to stay there, keep coming, make him [more] tired and maybe stop him in the later rounds.”

While having expressed his interest in unification matches with Agit Kabayel or Daniel Dubois, Hrgovic will be immediately ordered to defend his title against mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Marcus Trescothick says England attack can be compared to 2005

Published

on

Archer, Tongue and Atkinson are all capable of high speed, while Robinson often operates below 80mph with the wicketkeeper standing up. His accuracy and ability to extract movement have seen him take 23 wickets this summer at a remarkable average of 8.3.

“We’ve got a good contrast in what we’re trying to do at the moment,” said former opener Trescothick.

“What we do have is three guys bowling at 92 miles an hour, which is really nice to have in your armoury and to have the potency in what you’re trying to do.

“And the more that they play together and the more experience that everyone gets together, then it fits into place to how you want it to be.”

Advertisement

Writing for the Telegraph on Monday, England’s captain in 2005 Michael Vaughan said the current attack can only be compared to his bowlers when they win a major series.

But Vaughan added: “They are certainly capable of doing something really special, and winning back the Ashes for England next summer.”

England will aim for a 3-0 clean sweep of Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston, beginning on 9 September.

The home side will confirm a squad for the series finale in Birmingham in the coming days.

Advertisement

There were seven pace bowlers in the squad for Lord’s. Brydon Carse was originally included, only to be removed following an incident outside a nightclub in Derby. He is not expected to be considered for England again until the conclusion of investigations by the police and Cricket Regulator.

In Carse’s absence, England’s back-up seamers are Sam Cook, Sonny Baker and Matthew Fisher.

The trio have only four Test caps between them, yet Trescothick hinted England are likely to resist the temptation to give the reserves more Test experience.

“First and foremost I want to win the series 3-0, and I think if you’re going to do that you want to play the most consistent team possible,” said the 50-year-old.

Advertisement

“We’ve got to see how they all pull up from this game, and they’ve got four or five days now of break which they’ve not had for a good period of time because the schedule has been so busy.

“Once we know that then we’ll be able to make that decision, but emphasis massively on winning the series 3-0.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Venus Williams bows out of 26th US Open with first-round loss to Sofia Kenin

Published

on

NEW YORK — Venus Williams bowed out of her 26th US Open singles appearance early Monday morning, falling in straight sets to fellow American wild card Sofia Kenin after not getting on the court until midnight.

The 46-year-old lost 6-2, 7-6 (6) in what could be the final singles match at a Grand Slam, if not her illustrious career. It was Williams’ 14th consecutive singles defeat dating to her last victory in Washington in July 2025.

Williams has now lost six in a row at the US Open since winning in the first round in 2019.

She and her 27-year-old opponent waited extraordinarily long to take the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium, delayed by Novak Djokovic’s 4-hour, 36-minute defeat to Mariano Navone that threatened to move them next door to Louis Armstrong Stadium. The men’s action ended just in time to play on Ashe — but not before making some history.

Advertisement

At 12:13 a.m., it was the latest start to a match at the US Open, six minutes later than the previous record of Aryna Sabalenka against Ekaterina Alexandrova in the round of 32 in 2024.

Kenin needed just 32 minutes to win the first set, but Williams took advantage of mistakes and made some shots in the second that gave the late-staying crowd reason to cheer, rallying from down 4-2 to force a tiebreak before losing several set points and striking the ball into the net to end it.

Concluding at 2:01 a.m., it became the latest finish for a first-round match in US Open history. It is the third-latest for a women’s match at any stage of the tournament.

Williams is a quarter-century removed from her second of back-to-back championships in New York. She also won Wimbledon five times from 2000-08 to give her seven Grand Slam singles titles.

Advertisement

Williams and sister Serena won 14 in doubles, including the US Open in 1999 and 2009. They are expected to compete in doubles again this year after receiving a wild-card entry.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Ailing Djokovic ‘despised’ every moment of US Open defeat

Published

on

Former world No.1 Novak Djokovic’s US Open has ended with this earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades as he fell to Mariano Navone 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 on Sunday.

The defeat scuppered the Serbian tennis legend’s latest bid for a 25th Grand Slam title, and ended a streak of 78 Grand Slam first-round victories, which began at the 2006 French Open.

Considering the obvious discomfort the 39-year-old Djokovic began feeling early in the match, it was truly impressive that he managed to take Navone, 25, the distance.

After battling through more than four and a half hours in the Arthur Ashe Arena, Djokovic gracefully congratulated his opponent.

Advertisement

“I don’t want to take too much out of his win. Congrats to him. He’s a nice guy, a fighter,” Djokovic said of the 25-year-old Argentine, currently 48th in the men’s rankings.

“It’s unbelievable,” Navone said after triumphing in his first meeting with his childhood idol.

 “It was a tough match, a battle. Playing against Novak the first time in the biggest stage we have in the world of tennis right now… I mean, it’s crazy.”

I ‘despised’ every minute

Throughout most of the match, Djokovic looked physically spent, repeatedly throwing up into a courtside bucket and regularly doubling over in pain. 

Advertisement

Unsurprisingly, Djokovic said he had “despised” every moment of the ordeal at Flushing Meadows.

“I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me,” he said.

“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. You know, vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there.

“Then my whole body, you know, starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out?”

Advertisement

Long-term ‘health issue’

His last tournament, in Cincinnati two weeks ago, where Djokovic threw up into a towel, first revealed that he had been struggling with a “health issue” that affects him in hot, humid conditions for “many years.”

Despite the unspecified medical condition he suffers from, Djokovic reached the final of the Australian Open in January and the semifinals of Wimbledon in June. However, he said following his exit in New York that he’s now simply not physically capable of going deep into tournaments.

This mystery ailment, coupled with his age, will have many asking whether Djokovic, who remarkably still sits at No. 5 in the men’s rankings, could be approaching the end.

Perhaps more alarming than the ailment itself is the fact that he simply doesn’t know how to correct the problem. Still, he appears determined to battle on — at least for now.

Advertisement

“Can the issue be fixed? I don’t know,” he said. 

“I’m trying, man. I’m trying. Let’s see.”

Edited by: 

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025