5 Vikings Players Sitting on the Roster Bubble in 2026

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5 Vikings Players Sitting on the Roster Bubble in 2026

5 Vikings Players Sitting on the Roster Bubble in 2026 — Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) lines up defensively during NFC Wild Card action against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 13, 2025. Jackson contributed to Minnesota's secondary rotation during the postseason matchup as the Vikings attempted to slow the Rams' passing attack on the playoff stage in Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Dustin Baker · Vikings Territory

Sat, May 16, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Heading into each summer, every NFL team has players on the roster bubble — that's just the way it goes. The following list is the Minnesota Vikings ' version for 2026.

Minnesota 's summer roster math could get uncomfortable for some dudes.

The club currently employs 90 players, a number that will be dwindled to 53 by the end of August. Ranked in ascending order of impact, there are the roster-bubble guys in 2026 (No. 1 = highest-profile bubble guy).

Five Vikings Facing Pressure before Training Camp

Who's your top roster-bubble candidate?

Ben Yurosek is tackled by Titans defenders during a Vikings preseason game in Nashville. Vikings roster bubble — Tennessee Titans defenders Cedric Gray and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. bring down Minnesota Vikings tight end Ben Yurosek during preseason action on Aug. 22, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Yurosek continued battling for a roster role during exhibition play as Minnesota evaluated depth options at tight end ahead of final roster cuts later in the preseason process. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

5. Ben Yurosek (TE)

The easiest way to think of Yurosek, an undrafted free agent from 2025, on the roster bubble is to peek at the depth chart:

TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Josh Oliver
TE3: Ben Yurosek
TE4: Gavin Bartholomew
TE5: Bryson Nesbit

Minnesota used a 6th-Round pick on Bartholomew last season, but he didn't play at all due to injuries. If Bartholomew is the real deal, well, Yurosek isn't needed. The Vikings would have to keep four tight ends to accommodate Yurosek.

Two things are certain: Hockenson and Oliver won't be cut. That leaves Bartholomew versus Yurosek for TE3. Bartholomew's draft stock suggests that he's the frontrunner.

4. Dwight McGlothern (CB)

Minnesota added two new cornerbacks this offseason to complicate McGlothern's life: veteran James Pierre and rookie Charles Demmings.

Pierre and Demmings will not be released amid roster trimdowns in August. Not happening. That leaves McGlothern on the bubble, a familiar spot because he's usually right there at the 53-man cut-off or eyeing the practice squad.

Thankfully for his sake, the Vikings did not re-sign Jeff Okudah . McGlothern turns 24 this offseason, so if he wants to forge a serious NFL career, now is the time for him to make some noise.

3. Zavier Scott (RB)

Two words: Demond Claiborne . The Vikings drafted Claiborne from Wake Forest in Round 6 last month, and he will be included on the regular season roster, almost no matter what.

That forces a tricky situation for Scott, who finally got regular season playing time last year as an RB3. The Vikings will probably need to keep four halfbacks to keep Scott's job safe.

From a May perspective, Scott feels like an odd man out or a practice squad guy once again.

2. Walter Rouse (OT)

Remember the tight end depth chart? Here's the OT version in May:

Christian Darrisaw
Brian O'Neill
Ryan Van Demark
Caleb Tiernan
Walter Rouse
Caleb Etienne
Tristan Leigh

When the club finalized the 2025 53-man roster, it kept four offensive tackles. Right now, Rouse can reasonably be considered the OT5. Due to the additions of Van Demark and Tiernan, Rouse will face serious competition this summer, whereas in years past, he was just a shoo-in because of skimpy OT depth.

Walter Rouse warms up during Vikings training camp practice in Eagan, Minnesota. Vikings roster bubble — Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Walter Rouse warms up before practice during training camp on Aug. 2, 2024, in Eagan, Minnesota. Rouse entered camp as a developmental offensive lineman competing for depth-chart positioning while Minnesota continued evaluating long-term options along the offensive front during preparations for the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Rouse must pray that the Vikings want five OTs in September. Otherwise, it's a practice squad fate around the bend.

Our Kyle Joudry noted on Rouse in late March, "Sometimes, teams allow veterans to leave since there's an in-house young fella who is ready to step up. Look at the decision to say goodbye to Jalen Nailor . Doing so offers a hint that there's optimism for what Tai Felton can do."

"Is the same true for Walter Rouse? It doesn't appear so. The Vikings sent over $4.27 million to steal away OT3 Ryan Van Demark from the Bills. The offensive tackle was a 6th-Round selection in 2024. A modest rookie season was to be expected, but not as much rolling into his sophomore year."

Joudry remarked on Rouse's roster uncertainty before Minnesota drafted Tiernan.

He concluded, "Rouse got some early work but then was inactive for a good portion of the season's second half. Quite possibly, Minnesota lets the competition play out, but the Vikings have taken some actions that suggest a more pessimistic view of Rouse's outlook. Seeing him get subtracted won't be super surprising."

1. Theo Jackson (S)

Jackson's path to playing time has become significantly more challenging, even before clarity emerges regarding Harrison Smith 's future.

Theo Jackson plays defense against the Rams during an NFC wild-card game in Arizona. Vikings roster bubble — Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson reacts during an NFC wild-card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Jackson continued carving out a larger defensive role late in the season as Minnesota leaned on its secondary depth during postseason action against the eventual NFC playoff representative. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Vikings' 3rd-Round selection of safety Jakobe Thomas introduces another young safety with a similar skill set to Jackson's. This further problematizes an already difficult situation for Jackson, whose playing time diminished late in the 2025 season when the Vikings benched him in favor of Jay Ward . Consequently, even if Smith were to depart, Jackson still faces a formidable uphill battle for a roster spot or significant snaps.

Should Smith return for his 15th season, Jackson's prospects would be even bleaker. He could find himself fighting for any playing time during the season or simply striving to secure a place on the team by September. Jackson, as a roster-bubble guy, is really a if-this-then-that situation regarding Smith. Jackson's job security may change if Smith returns.

All told, Jackson posted a 68.4 grade from Pro Football Focus last year, while his teammate Ward notched a 70.4 grade. Brian Flores may deploy Ward in 2026 instead of Jackson.

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