How to watch the Minnesota Vikings-Arizona Cardinals preseason game

The Minnesota Vikings are set to wrap up the preseason at home on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals.  Head coach Kevin O'Connell has decided against playing most of his starters this preseason and that's likely to continue. Instead, we will be watching players on the bubble to see who can secure a roster spot.  Arizona […]

Bryce Lazenby
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The Minnesota Vikings are set to wrap up the preseason at home on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. 

Head coach Kevin O'Connell has decided against playing most of his starters this preseason and that's likely to continue. Instead, we will be watching players on the bubble to see who can secure a roster spot. 

Arizona Cardinals (1-1) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
Date: Saturday, August 26
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Betting odds: Vikings -1.5, Over/Under 38.5
How to watch on TV: FOX 9-KMSP (MN)
Streaming: NFL+ FuboTV, YouTube TV, Network apps, etc.
Radio: 100.3-FM KFAN (MN)

Will the Vikings play the starters?

Doubtful. O'Connell has opted to give all the reps to backups and guys competing for spots so far. That trend seems likely to continue. 

"The point of it all is we’ve spent a lot of time planning training camp, these joint practices and I know these games are genuine opportunities for game situations to come up. We hit just about every situation possible in two days and had ultra competitiveness out there," O’Connell said.

While disappointing for fans not to see the starters, it's understandable given the amount of injuries we've seen this preseason. 

Who will claim the final receiver spots? 

Right now it seems like four WR spots are locked already. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, KJ Osborn, and Jalen Nailor will be on the team. Typically, the Vikings have kept five receivers but may lean on the passing game more now that Dalvin Cook is gone.

That means Brandon Powell, Jalen Reagor, N'Keal Harry, Trishton Jackson, Blake Proehl, and Thayer Thomas are all fighting for just two spots. So far, the edge has to go to Jackson and Powell. Powell appears set to be the punt returner and Jackson has been a star of camp. 

However, any of the remaining receivers could still claim a spot with an impressive performance against the Cardinals. The bottom of this depth chart is far from set in stone. 

Three Players to Watch:

  • S Theo Jackson.: This group of safeties in Minnesota is incredibly deep. Lewis Cine and Camryn Bynum are battling for one starting spot, while rookie fourth-round pick Jay Ward and Theo Jackson are battling for a depth spot. Ward may have the leg up thanks to his draft status, but both guys have played well this summer. Can Jackson do enough against the Cardinals to secure a roster spot? 
  • RB DeWayne McBride: After being drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, I expected McBride to make the team. Late-round picks are far from locks to make the team, but this Vikings' RB room is not deep and McBride seemed primed to secure a role. However, the rookie has not impressed this summer. McBride is behind Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu on the depth chart, and Aaron Dykes even looked better against the Titans. McBride needs a big game to give himself a shot. 
  • TE Nick Muse: Muse was the Vikings' leading receiver against the Titans, collecting three catches for 46 yards. However, Muse still may not make the roster due to the presence of Johnny Mundt. O'Connell called Mundt the best third TE in the league, so Muse has some stiff competition. The Vikings likely won't keep four TEs due to the presence of CJ Ham, so Muse needs a huge game to cement his place.

More Vikings news ahead of the game:

Featured image via © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

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