The final seconds are ticking on training camp dreams. Tonight in Nashville, some Minnesota Vikings players will punch their ticket to the regular season roster, while others will clean out their lockers for the last time. This isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about survival.
Are J.J. McCarthy and Other Vikings Starters Playing Against Tennessee Tonight?
Minnesota’s front-line players, including second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Justin Jefferson, and most of the starting defense, are not expected to play against the Titans.
Instead, Friday’s game serves as a tape-building opportunity for reserves, with the medical staff also factoring into decisions to limit risk before the season opener against the Chicago Bears on September 8.
After two days of joint practices with the New England Patriots, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell noted that those sessions offered game-like situations without the injury risk of live play. He highlighted that joint practices were invaluable for evaluation, suggesting why starters won’t play in the finale.
“Joint practice gives you the chance to see some game‑like situations and feel the tempo without some of the game negatives that can come out from an injury standpoint.”
That means the offense will be handed over to backup quarterbacks Sam Howell, Brett Rypien, and rookie Max Brosmer. All three are expected to see extended time, with Howell looking to cement himself as the No. 2 option behind McCarthy.
Which Young Vikings Will Get Their Chance Tonight?
The spotlight now shifts to the roster hopefuls. The wide receiver group carries particular intrigue, with Tai Felton, Jeshaun Jones, Myles Price, and Thayer Thomas competing for depth roles behind Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Minnesota kept six receivers on its initial 53-man roster last year, making it realistic for one of these young names to stick.
At running back and special teams, undrafted free agent Zavier Scott is fighting for a spot as a returner and offensive contributor. He’s competing against veterans for a role that could carry added importance with Kene Nwangwu’s workload being carefully managed.
On the defensive side, rookies and fringe players like Elijah Williams and Gervarrius Owens want to prove they belong on the 53-man roster. The secondary, in particular, remains unsettled, with Owens pushing to carve out a role for both defense and special teams.
Coaches have stressed that this game involves poise and execution under real-game circumstances. With roster cutdowns looming, performances in Nashville could determine careers. For many of these young players, Friday night represents not just the end of preseason but a final shot at making the Vikings roster.
Kickoff from Nissan Stadium in Nashville is set for Friday, August 22, at 7 p.m. CT. CBS will carry the national broadcast, with Andrew Catalon on play-by-play, Charles Davis providing analysis, and A.J. Ross reporting from the sideline. Fans outside the markets can also stream the action live on NFL+.
The stars will watch from the sideline while careers hang in the balance on every snap.
