By Craig Peters
EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings reduced their roster to 53 players on Tuesday.
Teams have until Wednesday to claim players who were waived and can also sign up to 16 players for their practice squads.
Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell are scheduled to participate in a media availability at 10 a.m. (CT) Thursday.
Here's the first look at which Vikings are on the initial 53-man roster for 2023, along with the corresponding roster moves at each position that have been made since Minnesota's preseason finale.
Players listed first at each position correspond with starters on the unofficial depth chart.
Quarterbacks (3)
On the Initial 53: Kirk Cousins; Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall
Waived: Jordan Ta'amu
O'Connell said last week that an NFL rule change this offseason regarding a team's third quarterback and the team's interest in continuing to develop Hall were enticements when deciding whether to keep two or three quarterbacks.
Running Backs (3)
On the Initial 53: Alexander Mattison; Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler
Waived: DeWayne McBride, Abram Smith, Aaron Dykes
Chandler provided some nice moments in the preseason games while Nwangwu has been on the mend. McBride was a seventh-round pick; Smith and Dykes were added during the preseason.
Fullback (1)
On the Initial 53: C.J. Ham
No surprises here, as O'Connell and other coaches have spoken so glowingly about what Ham adds to the offense, special teams and locker room. He also can provide a little more depth at running back in a pinch.
Receivers (6)
On the Initial 53: Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn; Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Jalen Reagor
Waived: Blake Proehl, Lucky Jackson, Jacob Copeland, Trishton Jackson, Thayer Thomas, Garett Maag
Some thought the Vikings might be choosing between Powell and Reagor, who both can return punts, but the Vikings opted for six receivers on the initial 53.
Tight Ends (4)
On the Initial 53: T.J. Hockenson; Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse
Waived: Ben Sims, Colin Thompson
The Vikings have spoken glowingly about Oliver's addition, as well as Mundt's underrated nature for his role. Muse turned in a strong camp and preseason as a second-year pro.
Offensive Line (8)
On the Initial 53: LT Christian Darrisaw, LG Ezra Cleveland, C Garrett Bradbury, RG Ed Ingram, RT Brian O'Neill; C Austin Schlottmann, G Blake Brandel, T Olisaemeka Udoh
Waived: Josh Sokol, Jack Snyder, Alan Ali, Jarrid Williams, Christian DiLauro
Traded: Vederian Lowe to New England
Placed on Reserve/Non-Football Injury: Chris Reed
Defensive Line (5)
On the Initial 53: Dean Lowry, Harrison Phillips and Khyiris Tonga; Jonathan Bullard, Jaquelin Roy
Waived: Ross Blacklock, Esezi Otomewo, T.J. Smith, Calvin Avery
Contract Terminated: Sheldon Day
Roster Exemption: Junior Aho (International Player Pathway program)
The Vikings have worked Lowry, Phillips and Tonga together quite a bit during camp. Bullard adds plenty of experience, and Roy is a fifth-round pick.
Outside Linebackers (5)
On the Initial 53: Marcus Davenport and Danielle Hunter; D.J. Wonnum, Pat Jones II, Andre Carter II
Waived: Luiji Vilain, Benton Whitley
Carter, an undrafted rookie, joins a group of three returnees and free agent addition Davenport.
Inside Linebackers (4)
On the 53: Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah II; Troy Dye, Ivan Pace, Jr.
Waived: Wilson Huber
Waived/Injured: Abraham Beauplan
Contract Terminated: Troy Reeder, Tanner Vallejo
The Vikings were able to take an extended look at Pace, an undrafted rookie, while Asamoah was on the mend during the preseason.
Cornerbacks (5)
On the Initial 53: Byron Murphy, Jr., Akayleb Evans; Andrew Booth, Jr., Mekhi Blackmon, NaJee Thompson
Waived: Jaylin Williams, Jameson Houston, C.J. Coldon, Jr., Kalon Barnes
Waived/Injured: Tay Gowan
Contract Terminated: Joejuan Williams
Thompson made the roster as an undrafted free agent because of his shine on special teams.
Safeties (6)
On the Initial 53: Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum; Josh Metellus, Lewis Cine, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson
Contract Terminated: Jake Gervase
The Vikings love their depth at this position group and are likely to make good use of it with Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores.
Specialists (3)
On the 53: Long Snapper Andrew DePaola; Kicker Greg Joseph, Punter Ryan Wright
The Vikings are positioned to have continuity among their specialists for a second consecutive season.
For Historical Reference
In 2016, Vikings.com began tracking the number of players at each position who made the Initial 53.
Quarterbacks
2023 Number of players on Initial 53: 3
2016: 2
2017: 2
2018: 3
2019: 2
2020: 2
2021: 2
2022: 2
Running Backs
2023 Number of players on Initial 53: 3
2016: 3
2017: 3
2018: 4
2019: 4
2020: 4
2021: 3
2022: 4
Fullback
2023 Number of players on Initial 53: 1
2016: 1
2017: 1
2018: 1
2019: 1
2020: 1
2021: 1
2022: 1
Receivers
2023 Number of players on Initial 53: 6
2016: 6
2017: 6
2018: 5
2019: 4
2020: 7
2021: 6
2022: 5
Tight Ends
2023 Number of players on Initial 53: 4
2016: 4
2017: 3
2018: 3
2019: 4
2020: 3
2021: 3
2022: 3
Offensive Line
2023 Number of players on Initial 53: 8
2016: 9
2017: 9
2018: 9
2019: 10
2020: 9
2021: 9
2022: 10
Defensive Line
Note: Defensive line from 2016-21 included defensive ends and defensive tackles. Since 2022, this group has been interior defensive linemen, with players who were formerly categorized as defensive ends moving to the outside linebackers group.
2023 Number of players on Initial 53: 5
2016: 8
2017: 9
2018: 9
2019: 10
2020: 11
2021: 10
2022: 6
Outside Linebackers
2023 Number of players on Initial 53: 5
2016: DE grouped with defensive linemen
2017: DE grouped with defensive linemen
2018: DE grouped with defensive linemen
2019: DE grouped with defensive linemen
2020: DE grouped with defensive linemen
2021: DE grouped with defensive linemen
2022: 5
Inside Linebackers
2023 Number of players on Initial 53: 4
2016: 7 (included 3 LB positions)
2017: 6 (included 3 LB positions)
2018: 5 (included 3 LB positions)
2019: 5 (included 3 LB positions)
2020: 5 (included 3 LB positions)
2021: 7 (included 3 LB positions)
2022: 4 (included 2 ILB positions)
Defensive Backs
2023 Number of players on Initial 53: 11 (includes 5 cornerbacks and 6 safeties)
2016: 10
2017: 11
2018: 11
2019: 10
2020: 8
2021: 10
2022: 10 (6 cornerbacks and 4 safeties)
Specialists
2023 Number of players on Initial 53: 3
2016: 3
2017: 3
2018: 3
2019: 3
2020: 3
2021: 2
2022: 3
