After one preseason game and two more on the way before roster cutdowns on August 30, it’s time to reveal and analyze the Minnesota Vikings roster bubble for 2026. This happens annually, and not much is new this go-around, but it’s important to review those with the most at stake.
Listed alphabetically, here’s the Vikings’ roster bubble ledger at the moment.
Fifteen Jobs Still Hang in the Balance
1. Tyler Batty | OLB
Batty is actually listed as the OLB3 on the first and unofficial depth chart, indicating he could be safe. But if defensive coordinator Brian Flores prefers Bo Richter over Batty or general manager Nolan Teasley signs a free-agent OLB like Leonard Floyd, Batty could be the odd man out – – sent to the practice squad.
2. Dillon Bell | WR
Bell created spring hype that has not transferred to the summer. As it stands, he’s likely a practice squad candidate who will use 2026 to mature and develop in the background. Still, because of his versatility and a Deebo Samuel-like toolkit, he remains a dark horse to make the 53-man roster.
3. Chaz Chambliss | OLB
Chambliss made the active roster last year and has OLB-ILB hybrid utility. Yet, if the Vikings keep Richter and Batty, Chambliss is guaranteed nothing. His special teams abilities, though, make him more valuable.
4. Gavin Gerhardt | C
Minnesota has Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens at center. Ordinarily, cutting a 7th-rounder who was just drafted in April would not occur, but the Vikings rarely keep three centers. The hope here might be to sneak Gerhardt onto the practice squad.
5. Johnny Hekker | P
Hekker is battling Brett Thorson at training camp and in the preseason for the Vikings’ main punting job. The two are neck and neck. Thorson was not included with roster-bubble candidates because if he loses the battle, he’ll remain in the roster orbit due to the International Player Program.
6. Isaiahh Loudermilk | DT
Loudermilk is a seasoned veteran, and he has the going for him, but will you be utterly shocked if Minnesota drops him? Jalen Redmond, Caleb Banks, and Domonique Orange – – uncuttable players – – make a crowded house at DT. Loudermilk will hope for a DT5 job.
7. Dwight McGlothern | CB
McGlothern is pretty much in this situation every summer. In 2026, rookie Charles Demmings appears to have passed him on the depth chart. McGlothern’s regular season job security may boil down to whether Flores keeps five or six cornerbacks.
8. Bo Richter | OLB
Richter is probably safe, as Minnesota lacks its traditional OLB depth. However, the same scenario from Batty above applies here: if the Vikings sign a free-agent OLB, Richter could hit the practice squad.
9. Walter Rouse | OL
Minnesota’s depth chart lists Rouse as a guard after he spent his first two years at tackle. At guard, Rouse is likely safe for September. At tackle, it’s anybody’s ball game because the Vikings signed veteran Ryan Van Demark and drafted Northwestern’s Caleb Tiernan this offseason.
It would also help if, you know, Rouse is good at the guard spot. That’s unclear at the moment.
10. Zavier Scott | RB
Demond Claiborne joined the purple team during the draft, and he will not be released on August 30. The Vikings must decide if they want three or four tailbacks for Week 1. If they keep four, Scott is safe. If they keep three, Scott will probably return to the practice squad.
11. Jacob Thomas | S
If Harrison Smith does not return, Thomas may be inches away from a roster spot. Morbidly, Jamal Adams’s injury created room on the depth chart. Thomas feels like the latest UDFA discovery for the Vikings. He’ll use the final two preseason games to make his case for the 53-man.
12. Tavierre Thomas | S
On the other hand, if Smith does return and Jacob Thomas makes the cut, Tavierre Thomas could be the odd man out. Minnesota enjoys him on special teams, but there are only so many roster spots at safety.
13. Ben Yurosek | TE
Gavin Bartholomew, a rookie from 2025, is back after missing his rookie season. Yurosek will almost certainly make the practice squad if he doesn’t get the call on August 30. Yurosek’s inclusion on the active roster mirrors Zavier Scott’s: Will the Vikings keep three or four tight ends? Yurosek will be good to go if the answer is four.
14. Elijah Williams | DT
These defensive tackles are probably on track to make the Vikings’ September roster:
- Jalen Redmond
- Caleb Banks
- Domonique Orange
- Levi Drake Rodriguez
- Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
- [maybe] Isaiahh Loudermilk
So, where does Williams fit?
15. Zemaiah Vaughn | CB
Vaughn has flashed at training camp, but in the end, he feels destined for the practice squad. He was included on this list “just in case.”
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VikesNow Verdict: The remaining preseason work will determine which 15 players survive August and which must find another route back.
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