Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart
- NFC North
- Stadium
- U.S. Bank Stadium
- Head Coach
- Mike Zimmer
- Offensive Coordinator
- Klint Kubiak
- Defensive Coordinator
- Adam Zimmer & Andre Patterson
- Special Teams Coach
- Ryan Ficken
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
The Minnesota Vikings activated rookie running back Kene Nwangwu (knee) from Injured Reserve on Tuesday and released running back Ameer Abdullah in a corresponding move. Nwangwu was a fourth-round pick this year out of Iowa State and will now serve as the team's No. 3 running back behind Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison. Abdullah carried the ball seven times for 30 yards and caught three of four targets for 17 yards in six games with the Vikings this year. Minnesota is on bye in Week 7 before facing the Dallas Cowboys at home in Week 8.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (hamstring) will be placed on injured reserve after exiting Week 6 early with what was described as "cramps." Peterson will be held out for at least three games, so Minnesota's pass defense takes a bit of a hit without their No. 1 cornerback. Mackensie Alexander and Bashaud Breeland will be relied upon in his absence, so the Vikings' secondary becomes a more appealing matchup for opposing wide receivers. Their hands will be full after the Week 7 bye, as they host Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 on Sunday night Football.
The life of an NFL kicker can be tough. Coming off a game-winning field goal last week, Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph had to be feeling good going into the matchup against the Carolina Panthers. But two missed fourth-quarter field goals, one of which was another potential game-winner, brought the Vikings kicker back down to Earth in Week 6. Joseph did connect on three field goals on the day and was bailed out by a Kirk Cousins to K.J. Osborn overtime touchdown that secured a Minnesota victory. Joseph's fantasy managers can drop him for a replacement as the Vikings head into their Week 7 bye.
Minnesota Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin had his highest receiving yardage total of the season Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Most of his 71 yards came on a 40-yard reception, though, so it is still hard to trust Conklin as anything more than a touchdown-dependent TE2. He was the fourth-leading receiver on the day for the Vikings, which will be the case most weeks. In a run-heavy offense with target-hog wide receiversJustin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, fantasy managers can likely find better weekly options. Conklin and the Vikings now go into their Week 7 bye.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn had another solid outing against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, culminating with the game-winning touchdown grab in overtime. He finished the game third in targets, receptions and yards to go along with his second touchdown of the season. Finishing the day with six catches and 78 yards, Osborn will be on the WR3/4 bubble if the game script calls for a busy passing day for the Vikings. He is the clear third receiving option but can be hard to trust given Minnesota's preference for running the ball and with star wide receivers Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson commanding most of the targets. Osborn and the Vikings will be on bye in Week 7.