Minnesota Vikings announce initial roster after final wave of cuts

The Minnesota Vikings’ initial roster is officially set after a series of roster moves on Tuesday.

Those moves did include a few surprises, like running back Kene Nwangwu and defensive lineman Jonah Williams being cut while Dalton Risner and Gabriel Murphy were put on short-term injured reserve.

Related: Vikings final roster cuts: RB Kene Nwangwu, CB Duke Shelley among those let go

Some of those moves mean that the roster is likely to change again before the season-opener on Sept. 8 at the New York Giants. Teams will also be able to start setting their practice squads — which can hold up to 16 players (17 if one is an international player ) — on Wednesday at 11 a.m. (CT). However, for now, here is the initial 53-man roster for the Vikings:

Quarterbacks (3)

IN: Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall (J.J. McCarthy already out for season on IR)

OUT: Matt Corral

Hall did enough over the final couple preseason games to lock down a spot. The 2023 fifth-round draft pick finished the preseason really strongly, which may have gotten him claimed by another team if the Vikings tried to pass him through waivers to the practice squad.

Running Backs (3)

IN: Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, C.J. Ham

OUT: Kene Nwangwu, Myles Gaskin, DeWayne McBride, Mo Ibrahim

Nwangwu is a bit of a surprise cut because he offers return ability, which could be more valuable with the new kickoff rules this season, and he was actually involved a bit and looked solid in the backfield this preseason. With his departure, Brandon Powell could get more punt return responsibilities but the Vikings could also add a returner in the coming days. Look for the Vikings to try to get Nwangwu, Gaskin and McBride onto the practice squad if they clear waivers.

Wide Receivers (6)

IN: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield Sr., Trishton Jackson

OUT: Lucky Jackson, Malik Knowles, Thayer Thomas, Jeshaun Jones, Justin Hall

From being considered thin before training camp to seeing who makes it through waivers, the Vikings have many good practice squad candidates here. That’s a huge credit to wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell. Knowles was waived with an injury designation so he’ll revert to the Vikings’ injured reserve if he goes unclaimed.

Tight Ends (3)

IN: Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse (T.J. Hockenson on PUP to return, Trey Knox already out for season on IR)

OUT: Robert Tonyan, N’Keal Harry, Sammis Reyes, Neal Johnson

No surprises here. Tonyan could’ve made the roster if he even had some preseason action but the veteran has been sidelined since the end of July due to what was termed as back spasms. The only real question is how long will Hockenson be out, but he’ll miss at least the first four games by staying on the physically unable to perform list. Since the Vikings have a Week 6 bye, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him remain out until after that and make his season debut on Oct. 20 against Detroit.

Offensive Line (10)

IN: Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O’Neill, David Quessenberry, Dan Feeney, Walter Rouse, Michael Jurgens (Dalton Risner on short-term IR, Jeremy Flax already out for season on IR)

OUT: Spencer Rolland, Henry Byrd, Doug Nester, Matt Cindric, Chuck Filiaga

Risner maybe could’ve earned the starting right guard spot over Ingram but has been sidelined for weeks. It looked like he may be cut because of that but Minnesota elects to keep him on short-term IR, meaning he’ll miss at least the first four games of the season but could supplant Ingram then if the third-year man’s struggles continue. The decision to keep Jurgens, a seventh-round pick this spring, is also mildly surprising because he did struggle in preseason but the Vikings obviously like his potential.

Defensive Lineman (6)

IN: Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Jalen Redmond, Taki Taimani

OUT: Jonah Williams, James Lynch, Jaquelin Roy, Tyler Manoa

It’s not surprising that the Vikings kept Drake Rodriguez, Redmond or Taimani but keeping all three over Williams is a bit unexpected. However, all three made solid impressions in the preseason and Phillips and Bullard already offer the run-stuffing that Williams did so the Vikings opt for the pass-rushing upside. Roy and Lynch just didn’t flash a lot but I’m sure the Vikings would be happy to keep either on the practice squad.

Edges (5)

IN: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Patrick Jones II, Jihad Ward (Gabriel Murphy on short-term IR)

OUT: Andre Carter II, Owen Porter, Bo Richter

Carter totaled nine pressures and two sacks over the final two preseason games on top of six stops to finish the preseason strong. Richter faded after a strong start to the slate and Porter played well but just wasn’t quite as good. All three had a case but got squeezed out. Still, they each will absolutely be a priority for Minnesota’s practice squad if they clear waivers. As for Murphy, it’s still unclear what his injury is but he’s been sidelined for a couple weeks so IR at least keeps him around after a promising start to the summer and he’ll be eligible to return after four games.

Inside Linebackers (4)

IN: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., Kamu Grugier-Hill, Brian Asamoah II (Jordan Kunaszyk put on IR)

OUT: Dallas Gant

Instead of keeping someone like Carter, Porter or Richter, the Vikings somewhat surprisingly opt to keep four linebackers. Asamoah seemed like he may have been on the way out but he did finish the preseason strong and it seems smart to hang on to young talent as long as they can, especially given how poorly other draft picks have performed. Cashman’s finger injury, which isn’t believed to be serious, could also be a consideration here if his status has changed. Gant should also be a priority for the practice squad after his strong preseason.

Cornerbacks (6)

IN: Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr., Shaquill Griffin, Dwight McGlothern, Akayleb Evans, Fabian Moreau (NaJee Thompson already out for season on IR)

OUT: Duke Shelley, Nahshon Wright, A.J. Green III, Jaylin Williams

Evans, like Asamoah, looked to be on his way out but the Vikings keep him around, again opting to hang on to young talent in hopes of unlocking more, which isn’t a bad idea. However, he’s really struggled and will need to make big strides to regain playing time. McGlothern had to be included after his outstanding summer and adds a young corner with good upside into a room that desperately needs that. Shelley is also tough because he’s seemingly the best backup slot corner, but Moreau has some experience there so maybe he could fill that role or Shelley could return later. The Vikings also have several versatile safeties that defensive coordinator Brian Flores used there last year. Shelley, Green, Wright and Williams could be practice squad options.

Safeties (5)

IN: Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward

OUT: Lewis Cine, Bobby McCain

No surprises here. Cine had one great preseason game but wasn’t able to sustain that level at any point. The 2022 first-round pick now gets a chance to continue his career elsewhere, although maybe the Vikings would take him on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Specialists (3)

IN: Will Reichard, Ryan Wright, Andrew DePaola

Again, this spot was already clearly set. Wright clearly won the punting competition over Seth Vernon, who was released last week, but still hasn’t been amazing, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Vikings at least considered other options at punter over the next couple of days.