EAGAN, Minn. – It's the first Monday of the 2020 regular season, and the Vikings currently have 53 players on their roster.
But Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said that group might be tweaked as the week rolls along.
"I would anticipate some, yeah," Zimmer said when asked about making any additional roster moves.
The Vikings will open the 2020 season Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Packers. Kickoff is at noon (CT).
Minnesota trimmed its roster over the weekend to get to 53 players and then made an additional move Sunday by adding linebacker Ryan Connelly, who is a native of Eden Prairie.
Zimmer expanded on the roster moves, saying the toughest choices were at wide receiver and the offensive line. Minnesota kept nine offensive linemen, along with seven wide receivers, the most on its initial 53-man roster since Zimmer arrived in 2014.
"I think we had some good receivers and some of the offensive linemen, those areas were tough," Zimmer said. "Probably those two positions specifically."
Zimmer was later asked about wide receiver Alexander Hollins, who is one of 13 players on the practice squad.
"Yeah, I think Hollins did a nice job. I think he's improved," Zimmer said. "Just because he's not on the 53 now doesn't mean he's not going to play."
Practice squad maximums were initially set to expand to 12 players from 10 under the Collective Bargaining Agreement reached between the NFL and NFL Players Association in March. That limit was increased to 16 in an effort to add depth within a team's organization in case players test positive before games.
Zimmer noted that the expanded size and tweaked regulations will help the Vikings in 2020.
"I do think it helps. Technically, you can have four guys active on the game-day roster," Zimmer said. "You can only do it twice for each player. It does give you some flexibility and I think it's a good thing."
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of January 4, 2021.
14 QB Sean Mannion
4 QB Sean Mannion
19 WR Adam Thielen
19 WR Adam Thielen
20 CB Jeff Gladney
20 CB Jeff Gladney
39 CB Dylan Mabin
39 CB Dylan Mabin
40 LB Todd Davis
42 LS Andrew DePaola
42 LS Andrew DePaola
44 S Josh Metellus
45 LB Troy Dye
48 LB Blake Lynch
48 LB Blake Lynch
61 C Brett Jones
68 G Kyle Hinton
73 G Dru Samia
85 WR Dan Chisena
87 TE Hale Hentges
87 TE Hale Hentges
96 DT Armon Watts
96 DT Armon Watts
Here are four other topics Zimmer discussed Monday:
1. Depth at safety
The Vikings have just two safeties listed on the 53-man roster. And while those two players are Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris, Zimmer said the Vikings could add to that position going forward.
"We'll have a plan moving forward," Zimmer said.
He also noted that some cornerbacks on the roster could slide over and play safety if needed. In recent years, former Viking Terence Newman filled that role.
"That's a possibility. We've done it in the past with some guys. Terence Newman's done it," Zimmer said. "When I was in Cincinnati, we had another player do it. That's part of it. The roster is still flexible, though. We'll move things around."
2. Impact of no fans
The Vikings recently announced they will not have fans for their first two home games in September against the Packers and Titans, respectively.
Zimmer said that while the team will miss the energy and excitement from the 66,000-plus at U.S. Bank Stadium, it will be up to players and coaches to still find a way to get the job done on Sunday.
"Well, I do think not having our fans there is hard. All these other teams that don't have fans there, it'll be hard for them, too," Zimmer said. "We are one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, so it adds to how we've played at home because of them.
"At the end of the day, it's going to be strange, it's going to be odd. But we have to go out — you know, it's like going out for a practice [with no fans]," Zimmer added. "You've got to go out and do your best, perform your best and execute the best."
View photos of the Vikings 2020 schedule in photos including all opponents for the regular season.
Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 13 | 09.13 | NOON | Home vs. Green Bay Packers | U.S. Bank Stadium
Aaron Rodgers - Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished 2019, his 15th NFL season, with 4,002 yards, 26 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
The Vikings have played the Packers to open a season six previous times but have never kicked off a campaign by hosting a Border Battle. Green Bay's only appearance in a Minnesota home opener was during Week 2 in 2016 when the Vikings prevailed 17-14 in U.S. Bank Stadium's inaugural game.
Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 20 | 09.20 | NOON | Away @ Indianapolis Colts | Lucas Oil Stadium
Darius Leonard - Linebacker Darius Leonard hauled in an impressive five interceptions for the Colts in 2019 en route to his first career Pro Bowl.
Marlon Mack - Marlon Mack led the Colts ground attack in 2019, totaling 1,091 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 247 carries.
![Joe Kapp (Sept. 28, 1969) [7 passing touchdowns against Baltimore Colts] = Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp tied an NFL record in 1969 when he threw for an incredible seven touchdowns against the Baltimore Colts, who moved to Indianapolis in 1984.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/lupn6gwpo05hnkvylukp.jpg)
Joe Kapp (Sept. 28, 1969) [7 passing touchdowns against Baltimore Colts] = Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp tied an NFL record in 1969 when he threw for an incredible seven touchdowns against the Baltimore Colts, who moved to Indianapolis in 1984.
Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 27 | 09.27 | NOON | Home vs. Tennessee Titans | U.S. Bank Stadium
Derrick Henry - Derrick Henry won the 2019 rushing title with 1,540 yards and tied for the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns
Kevin Byard - Safety Kevin Byard recorded five interceptions in 2019, which tied for fourth in the league. He has picked off at least four passes in each of the past four seasons.
Eric Kendricks (Sept. 11, 2016) - Eric Kendricks had a 77-yard interception return for a score — his first NFL touchdown — in the most-recent meeting between the teams, back in Week 1 of the 2016 season.
Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | 10.04 | NOON | Away @ Houston Texans | NRG Stadium
Deshaun Watson - Deshaun Watson set a career-high with 33 total touchdowns in 15 games in 2019. He threw for 26 scores for the second straight season and added seven rushing touchdowns, which tied for second among quarterbacks.
J.J. Watt - J.J. Watt is tied for fourth among active players with 96 career sacks.
Marcus Sherels (Oct. 9, 2016) - Marcus Sherels returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown in the most-recent meeting between the teams. It was his fifth career punt return for a score and first in a home game.
Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 11 | 10.11 | 7:20 PM | Away @ Seattle Seahawks | CenturyLink Field
Russell Wilson - Russell Wilson threw a career-low five interceptions in 516 attempts in 2019. Wilson also passed for 4,110 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Bobby Wagner - Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner led the NFL with 159 total tackles (league stats) in 2019.
Anthony Harris (Dec. 2, 2019) - Safety Anthony Harris had a 20-yard interception return for a score against the Seahawks in 2019. It was his first career touchdown.
Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 18 | 10.18 | NOON | Home vs. Atlanta Falcons | U.S. Bank Stadium
Matt Ryan - Ryan, who is 109-80 as a starter, has recorded 38 game-winning drives and 30 come-from-behind victories.
Julio Jones - Julio Jones has seven Pro Bowls to his credit and a career average of 96.2 yards per game. In four games against Minnesota since 2014, however, Jones has averaged just 48.3 yards per game.
Kevin Williams (Sept. 9, 2007) - Defensive tackle Kevin Williams returned an interception 54 yards for a touchdown to put the Vikings up by seven early in what became a 24-3 victory.
Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 25 | 10.25 | BYE WEEK
Week 8 | Sunday, Nov. 1 | 11.01 | NOON | Away @ Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field
Za'Darius Smith - OLB Za'Darius Smith started all 16 games for the first time in his career and totaled 13.5 sacks in his first season with Green Bay.
Taking NFC North title in 2015 - The Vikings closed the 2015 season by defeating the Packers 20-13 at Lambeau Field to win the NFC North.
Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 11.08 | NOON | Home vs. Detroit Lions | U.S. Bank Stadium
Matthew Stafford - Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford started 136 straight regular-season games from 2011 to Nov 3, 2019. He missed the final eight games of last season.
Cris Carter's 1,000*th* catch - Receiver Cris Carter hauled in his 1,000th career catch, a four-yard TD pass from Daunte Culpepper, in the first quarter against the Lions on Nov. 30, 2000.
Week 10 | Monday, Nov. 16 | 11.16 | 7:15 PM | Away @ Chicago Bears | Soldier Field
Khalil Mack - Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack led Chicago with five forced fumbles in 2019.
Adrian Peterson (Oct. 14, 2007) - Adrian Peterson racked up 224 rushing yards and three touchdowns (67, 73 and 35 yards) in a 34-31 comeback victory at Soldier Field on Oct. 14, 2007.
Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 22 | 11.22 | 3:25 PM | Home vs. Dallas Cowboys | U.S. Bank Stadium
Ezekiel Elliott - Ezekiel Elliott ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards last season, racking up 1,357 yards and 12 touchdowns on 301 carries.
Jaylon Smith - Linebacker Jaylon Smith started all 16 games for the Cowboys in 2019 and led the team with 142 tackles (league stats) en route to his first career Pro Bowl nod.
Eric Kendricks (Nov. 10, 2019) - Linebacker Eric Kendricks helped the Vikings wrangle the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 10 last season. Kendricks broke up a fourth-down pass that Dak Prescott intended for running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Week 12 | Sunday, Nov. 29 | 11.29 | NOON | Home vs. Carolina Panthers | U.S. Bank Stadium
Christian McCaffrey - Running back Christian McCaffrey led the NFL with 2,392 combined yards in 2019, joining Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk as the only three players in league history to have more than 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in one season.
Teddy Bridgewater - Former Viking Teddy Bridgewater is poised to make his first start against the Minnesota team that drafted him with the 32nd overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Adam Thielen (Nov. 30, 2014) - Adam Thielen blocked a punt and returned it 30 yards for his first career touchdown to help the Vikings defeat the Panthers 31-13 on Nov. 30, 2014, a 12-degree day (Wind Chill of minus-7) at the University of Minnesota.
Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 12.06 | NOON | Home vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | U.S. Bank Stadium
Gardner Minshew II - Gardner Minshew II threw for 21 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 12 starts as a rookie last season.
Josh Allen - Jaguars edge rusher Josh Allen, the seventh overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, led Jacksonville with 10.5 sacks.
Randall Cunningham (Dec. 20, 1998) - Randall Cunningham threw three touchdowns (13, 43 and 14 yards) to build a 23-point lead at the end of the third quarter in an eventual 50-10 Vikings victory, a big boost for Minnesota's season points total of 556.
Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | 12.13 | NOON | Away @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Raymond James Stadium
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski - Tampa Bay added Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski this offseason. Brady is a six-time Super Bowl champion who ranks second all-time in passing yards (74,571) and passing touchdowns (541). Gronkowski has caught 78 career scores from Brady.
Shaquil Barrett - Shaquil Barrett set a Buccaneers franchise record — and led the NFL — with 19.5 sacks in 2019.
Anthony Barr (Oct. 26, 2014) - This will be Minnesota's first trip to Tampa Bay since 2014, when Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr forced and recovered a fumble before racing 27 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
Week 15 | Sunday, Dec. 20 | 12.20 | NOON | Home vs. Chicago Bears | U.S. Bank Stadium A
Cordarrelle Patterson - Cordarrelle Patterson led the NFL with 825 kickoff return yards in 2019, including a 102-yard touchdown.
Danielle Hunter (Dec. 20, 2015) - This game is scheduled to occur five years to the date of Minnesota's 38-17 win over Chicago at the University of Minnesota. Danielle Hunter recorded 1.5 sacks that night for the first multi-sack game of his career.
Week 16 | Friday, Dec. 25 | 12.25 | 3:30 PM | Away @ New Orleans Saints | Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Cam Jordan - The son of Vikings Ring of Honor member Steve Jordan, Saints defensive end Cam Jordan racked up 15.5 sacks in 2019, which ranked third in the NFL behind Shaquil Barrett (19.5) and Chandler Jones (19.0).
Drew Brees - Entering his 20th NFL season (15th) with the Saints, quarterback Drew Brees has been named to 13 Pro Bowls.
Kyle Rudolph (Jan. 5, 2020) - Kyle Rudolph caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins for a 26-20 walk-off Vikings victory that stunned the Saints in overtime of the NFC Wild Card game in January.
Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 3 | 01.03 | NOON | Away @ Detroit Lions | Ford Field D
Kenny Golladay - Lions receiver Kenny Golladay started all 16 games in 2019, recording 65 catches for a career-high 1,190 yards and a league-best 11 touchdowns.
Kirk Cousins (Oct. 20, 2019) - Kirk Cousins threw for a season-high 338 yards and four touchdowns to help Minnesota notch a 42-30 road win in Detroit last season.
3. An update on the defensive ends
The Vikings might boast the league's top duo at defensive end, as Minnesota features a pair of Pro Bowlers in Danielle Hunter and Yannick Ngakoue.
Zimmer provided an update on each of them Monday, beginning with Hunter, who missed almost the entirety of training camp.
"Yeah, I expect so. We'll just have to see," Zimmer said when asked if Hunter will practice and play this week against Green Bay.
Hunter has recorded 5.5 career sacks against the Packers.
Ngakoue, meanwhile, has been a Viking for a week after coming over in a trade with the Jaguars.
Zimmer said the 25-year-old with 37.5 career sacks is doing all he can to get ready for his first game in Purple.
"He's been very, very receptive," Zimmer said. "He's been staying long at night trying to catch up on all the different calls and defensive plays and things like that. He's been really good."
4. Advice for young corners vs. Rodgers
The opposing quarterback in Sunday's game has 174 career starts, going 113-60-1 in those contests. He has also thrown for 46,964 yards with 364 touchdowns and 84 interceptions, and has a Super Bowl title to go along with a pair of NFL MVP awards and eight Pro Bowls.
Yeah, Aaron Rodgers is legit.
Minnesota's cornerbacks will have their hands full Sunday, as a talented but inexperienced group takes the field.
The Vikings have six cornerbacks on the roster in Mike Hughes, Holton Hill, Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler, Kris Boyd and Harrison Hand.
That group has 44 combined starts and three combined interceptions, and every player is 23 years old or younger. Gladney, Dantzler and Hand are rookies.
Zimmer was asked what advice he would offer that group against a future Hall of Famer.
"Well, we've showed them a few plays where he's made some unbelievable, incredible throws," Zimmer said. "If you're not tight on this guy, you're looking to make a tackle as opposed to getting the ball out."
