Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix stand out in debuts of 6 first-round QBs
FOX Sports' NFL experts break down what we learned from the preseason debuts of the six QBs picked in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.AUGUST 12
MINNESOTA VIKINGS 6-2 · 2ND IN NFC NORTH
6-2 · 2ND IN NFC NORTH
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Byron Murphy Jr. - Plays one series in preseason opener Murphy (knee) had one tackle and played just one drive in Saturday's preseason win over Las Vegas.
Impact Murphy is coming back from a Grade 3 MCL sprain suffered in Week 15 last season. It's a good sign he's playing this early in the preseason even if being eased back into action. If at full speed, he'll be counted on as the team's top corner.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Shaq Griffin - Misses game with hamstring injury Griffin missed Saturday's preseason win over Las Vegas due to a hamstring injury, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Impact Griffin hasn't practiced since late July due to the issue and the severity of the injury isn't clear. The Vikings are struggling with corner back depth with Byron Murphy coming back from a knee injury, losing Mekhi Blackmon to a torn ACL and the death of 2024 fourth-round draft pick Khyree Jackson in a car accident.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Kene Nwangwu - Scores TD in preseason opener Nwangwu had five carries for 52 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown, in Saturday's preseason win over Las Vegas.
Impact Nwangwu has had a role in the offense as the No. 3 running back in training camp and looked good in his preseason debut. He showed off his speed on his his long touchdown run when he turned on the jets after finding a large hole in the defense. While he's not likely to get many carries behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler, Nwangwu at least looks like he'll be next up should one of the top two backs succumb to an injury.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Trent Sherfield Sr. - TD catch in Vikings preseason debut Sherfield had three receptions for 46 yards on six targets, including a 33-yard touchdown, in Saturday's preseason win over Las Vegas.
Impact Sherfield is competing for the fourth or fifth receiver role among a crowded field that includes Brandon Powell, Triston Jackson, Lucky Thomas and Thayer Thomas. The veteran may have a lead on a roster spot at this point in the preseason.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Ty Chandler - Looks sharp in preseason debut Chandler had seven carries for 33 yards in Saturday's preseason win over Las Vegas.
Impact Chandler started with Aaron Jones sitting out of the game and looked sharp on several runs including a 16-yard gain. He's locked in as the backup to Jones and could get significant touches if the Vikings try to manage Jones' workload to keep him healthy.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Dallas Turner - Get sack in pro debut Turner started at edge linebacker and had a sack and two QB hits in Saturday's preseason win over Las Vegas
Impact Turner started with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel sitting out. The 2024 first-round pick may not begin the season as a starter, but he's likely to get significant playing time in a rotation at edge rusher.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Trishton Jackson - Has 100 yards receiving Saturday Jackson had four receptions for 100 yards on five targets, including a 45-yard touchdown, in Saturday's preseason win over Las Vegas.
Impact Jackson has mostly been on Minnesota's practice squad the past two seasons, so a strong preseason game or two could help him win a final roster spot.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Jalen Nailor - Strong showing in first preseason game Nailor had three receptions for 63 yards on four targets in Saturday's preseason win over Las Vegas.
Impact Nailor started at wider receiver with J.J. Jefferson sitting out the game. He has drawn raves in camp for his play and backed it up with a strong performance. His only blemish was being unable to bring in a catchable ball in the end zone on fourth and goal in traffic. Brandon Powell didn't have a target or reception in the game. Nailor looks like he has a large lead for the No. 3 receiver role, which could have significant fantasy value with tight end T.J. Hockenson likely to miss several games in coming back from January surgery for a torn ACL and Jordan Addison facing a potential suspension for a DUI charge.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Sam Darnold - Plays one series in Vikings debut Darnold started at quarter back but played just one series on offense in Saturday's preseason win over Las Vegas. He was 4-of-8 passing for 59 yards with no touchdowns or intercept...
Impact Darnold essentially led the Vikings on a scoring drive, but his pass to Jalen Nailor on fourth and goal fell incomplete. Darnold only playing one series is likely a sign he's the favorite to begin the season as the starting quarterback. Rookie J.J. McCarthy played most of the game after Darnold left and had a strong performance with two touchdown passes, albeit largely against the second- and third-string defense.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
J.J. McCarthy - Two TD passes in pro debut McCarthy was 11-for-17 passing for 188 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in Saturday's preseason win over Las Vegas.
Impact McCarthy threw an interception on a rushed throw under pressure on his first drive in his pro debut, but settled down thereafter and was sharp with a 116.8 passer rating. Most of his production came in the second half against the second- and third-string touchdown, but he threw a nice deep ball on touchdown passes of 45 and 33 yards. Sam Darnold played just the first series on offense as he remains the favorite to start Week 1. However, McCarthy showed he could be a factor earlier rather than later this season.
AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE
Minnesota Vikings 24, Las Vegas Raiders 23 | Between the Lines
AUGUST 11 • YOUTUBE
Vikings' McCarthy throws interception, 2 TDs in preseason debut for 24-23 win over Raiders
Minnesota rookie JAUGUST 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vikings Honor Khyree Jackson at First Home Game of 2024 Season
AUGUST 10 • YOUTUBE
Vikings trade Andrew Booth Jr. to Cowboys for Nahshon Wright in low-level swap of cornerbacks
The Minnesota Vikings are trading Andrew Booth Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys for Nahshon Wright in a low-level swap of cornerbacks who might be at risk of getting cut by the end of tra...AUGUST 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nahshon Wright - Sent to North Star State Dallas traded Wright to the Vikings in exchange for Andrew Booth, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Impact Wright will join Minnesota after spending the first three years of his NFL career with the Cowboys. The 6-foot-4 cornerback will join the Vikings as likely the backup to Shaquill Griffin but may see more opportunities in the preseason with Griffin battling a leg injury as of late.
AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE
T.J. Hockenson - Likely out for start of season Hockenson (knee) isn't likely to be ready for Week 1 and could miss anywhere from three to seven regular-season games, ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler reports.
Impact While previous reports perhaps came off as more optimistic, Hockenson has always faced an uphill battle to be ready for the start of the season after suffering ACL and MCL tears on Dec. 24. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said last week that Hockenson is, "very well ahead of maybe where some of the medical folks thought he would be," but also cautioned that, "a timeline exists and we're going to try to stay true to that." Hockenson remains on the active/PUP list after two weeks of training camp, and it won't come as any surprise if he heads into the regular season on the reserve/PUP list, which would rule him out for the first four games. In the meantime, TE snaps and targets seem to be up for grabs between Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Robert Tonyan (back).
AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE
Aaron Jones - Unlikely to play Saturday Jones appears unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason opener against Las Vegas after sitting out practice Thursday for an undisclosed reason, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Impact Jones has looked sharp in training camp so this just may be rest for a veteran. However, check to make sure he hasn't been sidelined due to an injury. Jones is expected to start at running back and be a focal point of the offense, with the only question being how many touches he'll share with backup Ty Chandler to keep him fresh.
AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE
2024 NFL preseason Week 1 odds, lines, spreads
The NFL preseason kicks off tonight! Check out the odds, lines and spreads for every game during Week 1 of the 2024 NFL preseason.AUGUST 8
Vikings will start Darnold at QB, then give rookie McCarthy his debut in preseason opener
The Minnesota Vikings will start Sam Darnold at quarterback in their exhibition opener before giving rookie JAUGUST 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Justin Jefferson - Not expected to suit up Saturday Coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that Jefferson likely won't take the field during Saturday's preseason game against the Raiders.
Impact Jefferson is fully healthy, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic, but with all he's proven in his excellent career, there Vikings simply believe there's no need to expose him to unnecessary game reps. Sam Darnold is slated to start Saturday's exhibition contest, with 10th overall pick J.J. McCarthy also in line to receive notable reps, but neither is expected to yet have an opportunity to demonstrate their chemistry with the Vikings' No. 1 receiver.
AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE
J.J. McCarthy - Set for significant action Saturday Coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that McCarthy will get "a significant amount of work" during Saturday's preseason game against the Raiders, but that Sam Darnold will start at q...
Impact McCarthy may or may not get a chance to work with the first-team offense after Darnold on Saturday, but in any case it sounds like the rookie first-round pick will get plenty of opportunities to display his talents. Though McCarthy has ceded the majority of first-team reps to Darnold to start training camp, the expectation for that split to grow more even as the regular season approaches. Darnold remains the favorite to start Week 1 against the Giants, but a strong preseason showing by McCarthy on Saturday could make that conversation more interesting.
AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE
Sam Darnold - Set for Saturday start Coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that Darnold will start Saturday's preseason game against the Raiders, and that rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy will also get "a signific...
Impact Darnold is listed atop Minnesota's initial preseason depth chart, and he's taken the majority of first-team reps to this point in training camp, though McCarthy is expected to be increasingly worked in with the starting unit as things progress. As long as he can turn in some solid preseason showings, though, Darnold still seems in solid position to win the starting gig for Week 1's regular-season opener against the Giants.
AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE
Packers' Jacobs says having a full training camp should help him put his 2023 struggles behind him
Josh Jacobs followed up his 2022 All-Pro season with a year to forgetAUGUST 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
