Vikings Suffer 34-6 Broncos Loss as Safety Injuries Deepen Before 53-Man Cuts

Q: Will Max Brosmer's uneven preseason finale force the Vikings to risk losing their developmental quarterback to waivers?

Probably not by itself, but it does increase the risk. Brosmer’s 20-for-35, 165-yard night against Denver did little to strengthen a case for a 53-man spot. The broader reporting around Minnesota points the same way: Carson Wentz looks set for the backup job, J.J. McCarthy is being protected, and Brosmer is viewed more as a developmental quarterback than someone the Vikings must carry on the active roster right now. That makes waivers a real possibility. Multiple roster projections have Brosmer as a practice-squad candidate, and the Vikings’ roster math works against a fourth quarterback, especially with more urgent needs elsewhere. Safety, in particular, has become thinner because of injuries, and that could push Minnesota to use back-end roster spots on defensive depth rather than on a developmental passer. The key question is whether the Vikings believe they can sneak Brosmer through waivers. His finale did not help him there, because it likely cooled any surge of outside interest that a stronger performance might have created. But it also did not erase the leaguewide view that he has developmental value. Reporting indicates Minnesota remains optimistic about him long term, and there is at least some belief another team could claim him if he is exposed. So the uneven preseason finale did not force the Vikings into a decision as much as confirm it: if they cut Brosmer, they will be accepting some waiver risk in hopes of keeping him on the practice squad.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 29

Minnesota closed preseason with a 34-6 loss to Denver, but the bigger takeaway was a clearer picture of who is safe ahead of the 53-man roster deadline.
Carson Wentz started and played eight snaps while J.J. McCarthy watched in street clothes, a setup that points to Wentz claiming the backup job; Max Brosmer went 20-for-35 for 165 yards but missed several big-play chances.
The safety group took another hit when Jacob Thomas appeared to hurt his right ankle, while Jakobe Thomas returned from back stiffness, briefly grabbed his lower back, then finished with five tackles.
With Theo Jackson already hurt and Jamal Adams out for the season with a torn quad, the Vikings are down to four healthy safeties, including Kahlef Hailassie, who intercepted a pass Friday night.
Among the clearer roster locks from Friday were Ryan Van Demark, Wentz, Tai Felton, Demond Claiborne and most of the starting defensive line, while several depth jobs remain unsettled at receiver, tight end and corner.