Well, the final 53 and practice squad is set. I think it is a little strange to only have 4 corners on the actice roster amd 2 on the practice squad. This cant be final right? They need at least one more on the 53 man roster IMHO. Maybe they think of the corners that are on the practice squad is enough?
I asked Google Gemini (and ChatGPT) this …
How many times have nfl teams only had 4 cornerbacks on the final 53 man roster?
Here is the response …
Information on the exact number of times NFL teams have
kept only four cornerbacks on their final 53-man roster is not a readily available statistic. This kind of data would require a comprehensive historical analysis of every NFL team’s roster for every season, which is not compiled in a public, easily searchable database.
However, based on general knowledge of NFL roster construction and recent news, here’s what we do know:
It is rare, but it happens. Teams typically carry 5-7 cornerbacks on their 53-man roster, as the position is crucial for depth and special teams. Four is considered a very low number, and it often signals that the team either has a great deal of confidence in its top players or plans to add more cornerbacks after the initial roster is set (e.g., from waiver claims).
A recent example: A recent news report from August 2025 indicated that the Minnesota Vikings had only four cornerbacks on their initial 53-man roster. This is a good example of this practice in action.
Roster trends vary. The number of players a team keeps at each position can change based on the team’s defensive scheme, the talent on the roster, and the emphasis on special teams. Some teams might prioritize having more defensive linemen or linebackers, while others might stack up on defensive backs.
… I have to believe they have a player in mind besides the two on the practice squad.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Vikings Pay ‘Heavy Price’ in Adam Thielen Trade
The Vikings sent a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick and 2027 fourth-rounder to the Carolina Panthers for Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round selection and 2027 fifth-round pick
“This is a pretty heavy price for the Vikings to pay,” Breer posted on X. “But they initiated the talks, and had to get the Panthers on board.”
New Details Emerge from Adam Thielen Trade
If Thielen doesn’t play much — presumably because of an injury — Minnesota’s 7th-Rounder would morph into a 6th-Rounder. It’s conditional.
Charlotte Observer‘s Mike Kaye tweeted, ‘Per league source, conditions for the 7th round pick heading to Vikings from Panthers: Becomes a 2026 sixth-round pick if Adam Thielen is not active for 10 games or not on 53-man roster for 14 games. He played 10 games last year, fwiw, while dealing with a hamstring injury.”
Kaye also added, “The Panthers got the equivalent of a fourth-round pick for a 35-year-old WR on a lame-duck deal and saved $7 million, while negotiating with one team that cut that same guy two years ago.”
It’s essentially a 4th-Rounder for Thielen, a steep price.
Vikings: B+
This is a move that certainly deserves a pat on the back for the Vikings. Not only are they reuniting with one of the best route runners of this era, but the Vikings are making sure they have a No. 2 wideout in place while Jordan Addison serves his three-game suspension. This is the best-case scenario for J.J. McCarthy as well, as Thielen is one of the most reliable receivers out there, a perfect complementary piece for a young quarterback learning the ropes of playing in the NFL.
For the first three weeks, the Vikings will have Thielen to pair with Justin Jefferson. They also will have Jalen Nailor in the slot to get them by until Addison returns (assuming Nailor recovers from his hand injury). Minnesota will have one of the deeper wide receiver trios in the league once Addison returns, having Jefferson, Addison and Thielen to complement McCarthy for the rest of the season. The Vikings will also have T.J. Hockenson at tight end, giving McCarthy more than enough pass catchers to succeed. Parting ways with a 2026 fifth-round pick and 2027 fourth-round pick was costly, but necessary to make sure their quarterback has enough wide receivers on the outside to start the season.
The Vikings are giving McCarthy everything he needs to develop into a good quarterback. This is up to McCarthy to take advantage of the pass catchers at his disposal.
Panthers: C
The draft capital was too great for the Panthers to pass on trading Thielen, getting a 2026 fifth-round pick and 2027 fourth-round pick to part ways with a 35-year-old wide receiver toward the end of his career. From a front office perspective, trading Thielen makes plenty of sense.
For the development of Young, it makes little sense. Thielen was crucial toward Young’s success at the end of last season, as Young finished with 10 touchdowns to zero turnovers in the final three games (the first quarterback since Drew Brees in 2019 to have those numbers in the final three games). Young had a 102.9 passer rating Thielen last season, the second-highest of any of his pass catchers he threw 30+ attempts to.
MN Vikings Were Sniffing Around Another WR
While they were engaging with the Carolina Panthers on Adam Thielen though, the Vikings were also looking elsewhere. It would never have been smart to have all of their eggs in one basket.
Jalen Nailor has been injured for weeks and recently underwent surgery. Jordan Addison is suspended for three weeks. That adds up to MN Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell having opportunities on offense. Kendrick Bourne was someone that intrigued the Vikings, and now he’s on the open market.
MN Vikings Wide Receiver Went Under the Knife
During joint practices with the New England Patriots Jalen Nailor was on the field for the Vikings in a red no-contact jersey. He suffered a hand injury and has been out of action. Darren “Doogie” Wolfson shared an update on Skor North’s Purple Daily.
“Did Jalen Nailor undergo surgery on the left hand? I can tell you, there was a procedure done with the idea to be back for Week 1. I think, when the injury report comes out (Saturday September 6th) two days prior to the Monday night opener…I would imagine Jalen Nailor is listed as questionable. Now, if he can ramp things up in practice a day or two prior, maybe probable. I’m just thinking wide receiver, hand, that’s a tricky injury. The idea is, when you undergo a procedure to get back sooner, if he just lets it heal, he absolutely misses Week 1. There is this idea that Nailor is doing well, right now, with the hope to play Week 1 in Chicago.”
Darren Wolfson – Purple Daily
…
While Wolfson suggested that he thinks Nailor could be ready for Week 1, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis is still up in the air about that being a possibility.
“What they did not plan for is Jalen Nailor jamming his left hand in the second day of joint practices. Now, you ask, will Jalen be back for the first game? To me, I’m not totally sure one way or another. I wouldn’t go strong on it one way or another from what I’ve heard. If you don’t have him for Week 1, it places even more importance on the need for additional depth in the spot.”
Alec Lewis
NFL Insider Boldly Predicts a Vikings RB1 Change
Last season Aaron Jones was healthy and played all 17 games for the Minnesota Vikings. He’ll be 31 years old this season and banking on that reality to replicate itself is not a good bet. ESPN’s Dan Graziano doesn’t believe he’ll be the bell cow though.
The Vikings love Aaron Jones Sr. If you’ve ever talked to Jones, you know why. He is a great player and a great guy to have in your locker room. But he’s also 30 years old and coming off a 322-touch season.
The Vikings traded for Mason, the former 49ers back who they believe adds an explosive element to their run game. So far, they’ve been thrilled with Mason’s play, and they envision a pretty even split in running back duties this season between him and Jones. But during some Christian McCaffrey absences in San Francisco, Mason did show the ability to function as more than just part of a tandem. He ran for 789 yards on 153 carries last season. So it’s not hard to picture a scenario in which the Vikings decide to lean more on him as the season goes along. Again, nothing against Jones — this could just be the natural evolution of things in Minnesota.
…
If the Minnesota Vikings want to maximize Jones though, the goal should be to keep him fresh. Although he was active for every game last year, there were more than a few maladies he had to overcome. That’s part of the game but it doesn’t necessarily foster future success.
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