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The 3 Vikings Players Who Need a Big Game Against the Ravens to Stay on the Roster
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- The 3 Vikings Players Who Need a Big Game Against the Ravens to Stay on the Roster
The Vikings are set to play the Ravens for their second preseason game of the year, and after that first game against the Giants , the 53-man roster is becoming clearer as we see guys pull ahead in position battles and some bubble players fall out of favor. Who knows how Kevin O'Connell and Nolan Teasley view this roster currently and who still needs to prove themselves, but there are guys that are on the outside looking in and seem to be struggling to stay afloat in their fight to make the roster and could ultimately drown in the next few games and get cut if they don't step up today and put on a show against Baltimore .
Michael Jurgens
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up with Minnesota Vikings center Michael Jurgens (65) prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
I thought Jurgens struggled in the first preseason game against the Giants; he made several key errors that ended up with a Giants defender in the backfield, and he's going to need to cut those down to zero in this game to earn a critical depth spot on the offensive line. With seventh-round rookie Gavin Gerhardt breathing down his neck, this game could be the make-or-break moment for Jurgens, who could jump back into the driver's seat in that battle with a good performance or seal his fate with a bad one.
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Taki Taimani
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Taki Taimani (55) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
I had Taki Taimani in my initial roster prediction , but excluded him in favor of a couple of veterans who I felt leapfrogged him on the roster in the Giants game. Both Elijah Williams and Isaiahh Loudermilk made plays in the backfield in that game, and the Vikings D-line as a whole looked surprisingly good, with a lot of depth and unexpected talent all over. It may be hard for the former undrafted free agent and third-year player who has spent his whole career deep on the Vikings bench to make the team once more with this level of talent and experience ahead of him on the depth chart. If he is going to do it, he's going to need a big game against the Ravens; a sack would certainly help.
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Ivan Pace Jr.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) reacts against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half in an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Ivan Pace Jr. probably had the worst performance for the Vikings in Week 1 of the preseason, as his weakness as a coverage linebacker reared its ugly head again, and he was consistently picked on by the Giants' quarterbacks, most notably on the only Giants touchdown in which rookie Malachi Fields easily caught a touchdown with extremely soft coverage on him. In order to get that taste out of everybody's mouths, he's gonna need a big game today. If I were him, I would be hoping that they just use him on running downs and as a blitzer, because that's clearly where he thrives.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
