Heading into this one with the right mindset pic.twitter.com/eiCd0WoZkD

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 20, 2026

Make note that key starters will not play. KOC said that most starters will rest for this game.

For some reason, Blake Cashman tends to fly under the radar. But just thinking about camp and reviewing the notes from Vikings joint practices with the Ravens, the LB was and has been just exceptional.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 21, 2026

Tomorrow’s Vikings game should be fun. Will give much needed clarity with the QB2 spot, RB depth, WR’s below Jennings, Safety and CB room.

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) August 21, 2026

I feel like this is a very meaningful game for JJM with the extended playing time he is expected to get. It is an opportunity to show improvement with his accuracy and overall game, which if he can, the noise about who is the backup will stop and it can help create a more positive narrative for him. However, if he does not perform well and Wentz does, then there is going to be a high level of scrutiny over the remainder of camp on him and more trade rumors.

Defensive rookies on the DL and secondary are going to be interesting to track and some key factors in both spots.

https://www.vikings.com/news/how-to-watch-ravens-2026-preseason-game

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings are continuing their 2026 preseason slate by hosting the Baltimore Ravens at noon (CT) Saturday, Aug. 22.

This contest follows joint practices between the teams on Wednesday and Thursday at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center and is the lone exhibition contest this season at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The teams prioritized maximizing practice reps for starters vs. starters, so it is unlikely that many, if any, first-teamers will play in the game.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said QB Kyler Murray will not play in the game and that J.J. McCarthy is likely to start.

SIMULCAST TV AND AUDIO

KMSP FOX 9 in the Twin Cities and affiliates in the following 11 markets across the Upper Midwest will broadcast the game:

Duluth-Superior (KBJR), Rochester/Mason City/Austin (KTTC) and Mankato (KEYC); Fargo (KVRR) and Bismarck/Minot/Dickinson/Williston (KFYR) in North Dakota; Sioux Falls (KSFY) in South Dakota; Des Moines-Ames (KCCI) and Cedar Rapids/Waterloo/Iowa City/Dubuque (KCRG) in Iowa; La Crosse/Eau Claire (WLAX/WEUX) in Wisconsin; Omaha (KETV) in Nebraska

Additionally, Anchorage (KTUU/KYES) and Fairbanks (KFXF) in Alaska will also carry the game.

KFAN, KTLK 1130-AM/FM 103.5 and the five-state Vikings Audio Network with more than 70 affiliates across the Upper Midwest will provide audio coverage.

Kickoff: Noon (CT)

Play-by-Play: Paul Allen

Analysts: Pete Bercich and Ben Leber

Sideline reporter: Tatum Everett

As a special treat, new Vikings General Manager Nolan Teasley will join the simulcast during the third quarter, and safety Joshua Metellus will do so in the fourth quarter.

Note: The pregame radio show on the Vikings Radio Network will begin at 10 a.m. (CT), and Vikings GameDay Live will air on FOX 9 in the Twin Cities at 11 a.m.

Kevin O’Connell on Kyler Murray overcoming his height and sometimes not being able to see over the middle:

"It's gonna happen from time to time, depending on the angles and how the protection and the rush pattern works. That's gonna be part of it. But he also has a lot of…

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 21, 2026

Kevin O’Connell on Kyler Murray overcoming his height and sometimes not being able to see over the middle:

"It's gonna happen from time to time, depending on the angles and how the protection and the rush pattern works. That's gonna be part of it. But he also has a lot of experience understanding space based upon the defense that they play, space based upon what we're trying to do from a standpoint of attacking voids and vacancies. So we've seen some really good examples of him being able to overcome that, play in rhythm, and anticipate some throws."

Wrote about one of the highlights of camp: Seeing the development of receiver Myles Pricehttps://t.co/XnnYsOkxwo

— Matthew Coller (@MatthewColler) August 21, 2026

EAGAN — Last Saturday, Myles Price made a contested catch and turned it into an explosive play against the New York Giants. And then he made a one-handed grab for a touchdown. Four days later during joint practices, Price blew by the Baltimore Ravens’ defense for a touchdown to close out a situational drill. And then the next day, he got open and caught a TD during red zone drills.

What a week for the Vikings’ kick returner — or should we say, what a week for the Vikings’ wide receiver.

Last year Price caught everyone’s eye in training camp and the preseason because of his natural ability with the ball in his hands. In a preseason game against New England, he returned a kick 81 yards, weaving through traffic and breaking tackles and had a 20-yard punt return.

Price made the team and put together a good season as a returner, averaging 25.9 yards per kick return and 9.9 per punt return. The expectation was that he would come back and have a locked-in spot on the 53-man roster as the returner, which has now gained value again due to the NFL implementing new return rules.

But Price didn’t want to settle for just being a returner. In college, he had been an effective receiver, racking up 199 catches for 2,217 yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing 33 times for 270 yards and three TDs. He wanted to prove that he could be a complete wide receiver at the NFL level, so Price spent the offseason focusing on several key areas that he felt could put him in position to see the field more offense.

“Every route in this offense has details to it,” Price said. “You have to be on point or KO [Kevin O’Connell] and coach Wes [Phillips], they're not going to trust you. Now I think I'm starting to show I can be trusted in the offense, and with trust comes more playing time and it’s about taking advantage of every opportunity at this point.”

The Vikings knew that Price had natural explosiveness but they were looking for him to show that he could get open against NFL defenders, which takes as much technique as it does God-given speed.

“I think he’s really started to hone in on the artwork of the receiver [position], getting on edges, being able to understand how to release at the line of scrimmage to give himself the best chance to activate his quickness and change of direction and vertical speed,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “Then he’s worked really, really hard catching footballs. I mean, I think he’s so natural catching punts and just the tracking of that. I think there’s some correlation there, but you’ll see him on the jugs machine. quite a bit there.”

Price has something working in his favor in terms of the development aspect of his game: Receiver’s coach Keenan McCardell.

The former star NFL receiver has been a staple of the organization from back before O’Connell arrived and he’s been known for his ability to help receivers develop. Whether it’s star first-round picks like Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison, or later-round players like KJ Osborn and Jalen Nailor, the receivers seem to improve every year under McCardell.

“[McCardell] tells me, like, ‘you’re doing a great job right now,’ but he’s also one of those coaches, he doesn’t want you to get too high, right?” Price said. “Keep it even killed, so each and every day, he’s kind of telling me, ‘come on, you gotta do it again. You gotta stack days again.’ In my position, it’s never enough, you gotta continue to grow and grow and show that you can do more.”

One thing that has helped Price take McCardell’s coaching points and put the work into getting to the next level as a receiver is his confidence. Though he might have been the 80th guy on the roster when he arrived last year, there was never any indication of the light being too bright for the undrafted free agent. He jumped right in as a returner and took off.

“As far as confidence wise, like, it’s sky high, you know?” Price said. “I never think that I could be guarded, I never think I could be stopped, I think I can make every block, every hit, like, that’s just who I am as a person.”

As we have passed the halfway mark of camp and preseason games are still remaining, there’s no reflection from Price about his success so far but he does feel that he’s seeing the rewards of the effort he put into the offseason by getting passes thrown his way and making plays in camp.

“I think I’m kind of getting an opportunity to showcase who I am,” Price said. “Not just as a returner. Like how I could be utilized in the offense?

He continued…

“It’s always good when you see your hard work payoff. Like, of course, you’re gonna have moments where doubt might start to creep in or you have moments where it’s like, ‘could I do more?’ But when you’re in my position seeing your work payoff, I feel like that’s the most rewarding feeling that you could have.”

Others have enjoyed watching his improvement as well, including Vikings legend Randy Moss, who gave Price a little one-on-one coaching after watching him make plays in practice.

“He gave me a little vet move that I could apply to my game,” Price said. “I think that’s so cool.”

This is the type of development story the Vikings were looking for from this camp with three established starters but little in terms of proven depth behind them.

“It’s been really, really cool to see his growth really from day one of last year all the way through the offseason and where he is now,” O’Connell said.

The funny thing about this is Kevin O’Connell cited a Drew Brees quote about how that’s not something to be used as an excuse. O’Connell brought it up as an acknowledgement of a fact that he and the staff have considered in designing an offense built for Murray’s strengths. https://t.co/llrLjrkqWX

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 21, 2026

Awesome new Ep of @AlecLewisShow with @minakimes...

— 2026 Vikings intrigue
— Kyler Murray's opportunity
— Run game possibilities
— Brian Flores belief
— More

Watch: https://t.co/kg97DtjAe1

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 21, 2026

Fill in the blank: #Vikings QB JJ McCarthy will throw for ___ yards tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Ire1pm7cYm

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 21, 2026

"This is as bullish on the defensive line depth as I've been in years" 🙌

- @jzulgad on the #Vikings defensive line pic.twitter.com/iErBRqhHsy

— SKOR North - Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) August 21, 2026

Vikings vs. Ravens: Previewing 2026 Preseason Game 2

EAGAN, Minn. — Yes, yes, yes! The 230-day wait to return to U.S. Bank Stadium is coming to an end at noon Saturday when Minnesota & Baltimore meet up during the second week of NFL exhibitions.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that Kyler Murray & the first team won't play after the volume of work they got against the Ravens on the grass at TCO Performance Center, and that the staff will be smart with many players so they can get adequate rest. J.J. McCarthy is most likely going to start.

Building on last week’s preview for the 13-10 win at the Giants, we've narrowed our focus a bit more.

Here are four young players to watch Saturday (two each on offense & defense), along with 3 "Quotes of the Week" that illuminated the far-reaching significance of joint practices versus the Ravens.

Dillon Bell

The Vikings receivers room has star triplets in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison & Jauan Jennings. But after them, there's a collection of young and unproven receivers vying for snaps that'll need to step up.

Myles Price & Tai Felton seem to be near the top of the depth pecking order based on having a year in the system and strong springs & summers. Bell, undrafted out of Georgia, is another player in the mix, & two solid games to close out the preseason could help confirm him as a high-upside gadget-y player. Despite some drops in camp, he has looked sure-handed in the red zone, including in the joint practices.

One NFC National Scout told Lance Zierlein of NFL.com in the leadup to the draft: "Some scouts see him as Deebo-lite (referencing Deebo Samuel), but I wouldn't go that far."

Either way, Bell has the frame at 6-foot, 209 pounds to withstand tackle attempts, & great run-after-the-catch potential; his 9.40 RAS was 16th out of 382 measured wide receivers in 2026, and 251st out of 4,196 at his position since 1987. In his first NFL action, Bell played 17 snaps on offense and seven on special teams. He entered the game on offense late in the third quarter, and he received his first touch on a jet sweep, quickly sticking his foot in the turf and getting vertical for a gain of 17. Bell was targeted by Carson Wentz in the flat after motioning left to right on the next snap but got a little antsy and took his eye off the ball. Later on, Bell took a second jet sweep and mashed the pedal to the perimeter for 10.

Demond Claiborne

Claiborne's cup runneth over with juice. He nearly split through a crease for a real shot at six points on the game-opening kickoff last week; he nearly ballerina'd out of a shoestring tackle along the sideline for a 1-on-1 with a safety in the open field - another serious chance for six - on his first rush, a toss sweep to the left; & he nearly tightrope'd the sideline into the end zone after bouncing out on an off-tackle handoff a few plays before Wentz linked with Price on the go-ahead goal-line fade. Repeatedly, Claiborne was on the brink of breaking free — and showing New York what he's shown Minnesota since the spring.

The sixth-round rookie from Wake Forest is slight (5-foot-10, 188 lbs.), but his speed is supreme. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Claiborne clocked a 4.37 40-yard dash. At Vikings Training Camp, he had a wealth of explosive runs and chunks of yards after the catch. On Thursday, he punctuated a 2-minute scoring drive for the second offense on a 20-plus yard TD dash around the edge. Claiborne is a work in progress in pass pro — granted, he laid his body down for a couple nice cut blocks in front of the QB at the Giants — and he had a fumbling issue in 2025 (he coughed up the rock after a bursty run on the first day of joint practices) but the change-of-pace potential he offers the Vikings backfield is extreme. Extremely likeable.

Additionally, Claiborne's prowess as a kick returner is legitimate. He housed two for the Demon Deacons on 22 career returns. Something to be mindful of is that if Price emerges with a larger offensive role this season, it may be ideal to find his successor or sharer in the KOR phase, and save Price to return punts.

Jacob Roberts

Unheralded as he may be, Roberts (6-foot-1, 233 pounds) has been highly involved throughout his football career. He led his high school team in tackles and interceptions as a senior; he was über-productive in 32 games at North Carolina A&T, making 218 tackles and five interceptions, and blocking six kicks; he had a standout transfer year at Wake Forest in 2023 with 83 tackles and six sacks; and he compiled 97 tackles on defense and 19 on special teams across 24 games for the CFL's Calgary Stampeders before signing a contract with the Vikings in January this year. Then, in his first NFL game action, and on his fourth of 18 defensive snaps, Roberts continued to produce, picking off Giants QB Brandon Allen in New York territory. The takeaway set up Minnesota for the decisive score. Before and after that play, Roberts showed a knack on some reps for blitzing, sifting around bigger bodies as a run defender, and swiveling his head in coverage. He also exerted good effort on nine special teams snaps.

Roberts doesn't have a ton of camp highlights on the defensive side because he's behind Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, Ivan Pace, Jr., and Jake Golday on the depth chart; Josh Ross also holds an experience edge on Roberts after spending a portion of 2025 on the Vikings practice squad. The 24-year-old Roberts is firmly in the mix, however, to contribute on special teams, and his aggressiveness stood out in certain drills with the Ravens. It wouldn't be a shock to see him get extensive looks in both phases on Saturday.

Jacob Thomas

One of three Thomases in the fold for safety snaps (along with third-round rookie Jakobe, and veteran Tavierre, a steady special-teamer throughout his eight-year career), Jacob was likely a long shot to earn a roster spot due to his undrafted nature and limited exposure to top-tier competition at James Madison.

He's logged first-team reps in practice, however, including on both days against the Ravens, and he showed terrific range last Saturday, racing from the hashmarks to the sideline to intercept a pass on third down. There are a few other elements working in Thomas' favor. First, the safeties group is amidst a makeover, so to speak, with Harrison Smith floating in retire-or-return limbo; Joshua Metellus is one proven playmaker; Jay Ward is listed as a starter on the team's first unofficial depth chart and whacked QB Jaxson Dart on a blitz last week, but 2025 was really his first time playing meaningful snaps on defense in three pro seasons; Theo Jackson will have a role but the extent of it is unknown (likely out of caution, he didn't return to practice Thursday after getting banged up in coverage); Jakobe Thomas is regarded as a great schematic fit but hasn't played in team drills recently due to back stiffness; and veteran Jamal Adams presented versatility (rostered as a LB, but on the depth chart, initially, as a safety), before he suffered a torn quadriceps tendon in the place he played home games to begin his career.

The second piece of the pie is Thomas owns desirable size (6-1, 212) and move-ability to be used in various packages. He finished just shy of 200 tackles at JMU and posted double-digit tackles for loss and pass breakups, with five interceptions. Notably, Thomas flattened a Vikings tight end during the annual night practice, and teammates have spoken highly of his intelligence and communication on a consistent basis. Thomas played 14 special teams snaps and 38 of the team's 54 defensive snaps at the Giants; he aligned at free safety (19 snaps), as well as in the box (10), and over the slot (5), and on the ball (4).

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell:

"Derrick Henry always tells me, I think he's told me three separate times now — every time I see him — that he forgets how tall I am. And I'm like, 'You're just used to being taller than everybody you walk by; that doesn't mean I'm going to throw a haymaker or anything. I'm gonna try to run for the hills if you get mad at me.' But that's the cool part about this — the relaxed setting. I mean you guys will see it today when we end and guys are spending time on the field together. The Ravens are going to go in there and lift after practice in our weight room. That's what this is all about, you know, being good hosts and the brotherhood of NFL players getting a chance to spend some time together."

WR Justin Jefferson:

"When somebody else comes into the building it kind of allows us to kind of get into game mode and to see a little bit different coverages than what we've been seeing with our defenses. So, it's just all about just coming in here, understanding that [there's] work to be done, understanding that it's not perfect — everything is not going to be perfect — but this is what these joint practices are for, for us to kind of see where we're at and to continue working and continue that connection [as an offense] going [forward]."

TE T.J. Hockenson said about playing with QB Kyler Murray in joint practice setting:

"I think it makes you closer. I mean, I really do. Being able to talk through things that maybe, necessarily, we haven't gotten with our defense and being able to talk through looks that we haven't been able to get with our defense. I think it kind of makes you closer, kind of [allows you to] get on the same page in a lot of different things. Really [it's] just [about] communication and seeing what he's seeing and then understanding that and applying it. I think that's really all we're doing in camp is trying to communicate and be on the same page with him. And those are great conversations to have, especially when you go against a different defense; maybe we've been getting some looks that are premiere against ours, and then we come out here and there's different leverages or there's different stuff, and so just being able to communicate that with him [is important]."

I think KOC said no starters are playing today? I'm fine with that, but fans shouldn't be expecting much in the way of gathering real info from this 'game'....maybe a few individual things. Its so gross that season ticket holders are forced to purchase preseason games, lol. As always, keep it as healthy as possible.

But this might be insightful for those that get to watch:

#Vikings General Manager Nolan Teasley will join the @FOX9 broadcast booth during the 3rd quarter of #BALvsMIN tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/5pNVlyYByi

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 22, 2026

Pretty wholesome vibes here from Price, definitely star struck....

https://packaged-media.redd.it/u9wkdf5bntkh1/pb/m2-res_854p.mp4?m=DASHPlaylist.mpd&c=wh_ben_en&var=sgpssan&v=1&e=1787407200&s=18dcc63ae05849b5dda82cdf1915ee32b8bbdc46

Back at the Bank‼️ pic.twitter.com/MElshf2gxw

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 22, 2026

"Rookie UDFA safety Jacob Thomas continues to flash in practice."

-@thorku on a potential diamond in the rough for the Minnesota #Vikings pic.twitter.com/KHdbwpX4yu

— SKOR North - Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) August 22, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:

I think KOC said no starters are playing today? I'm fine with that, but fans shouldn't be expecting much in the way of gathering real info from this 'game'....maybe a few individual things. Its so gross that season ticket holders are forced to purchase preseason games, lol. As always, keep it as healthy as possible.
But this might be insightful for those that get to watch:
https://x.com/Vikings/status/2090984802790863266?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Last pre-season game I've been to was the JJM/Raider game...

Otherwise our group of 4 donate them to a different family every season. Someone who wouldnt otherwise get a chance to go.

RISE AND SHINE! ITS #VIKINGS GAMEDAY pic.twitter.com/DaR5Sq6lNf

— Dustin (@Dust_Vikings) August 22, 2026

Ben Leber breaks down what he expects from J.J. McCarthy against the Ravens.

🎥: sound.the.horn on TikTok pic.twitter.com/td58Cou1QY

— SleeperVikings (@SleeperVikings) August 22, 2026