Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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EAGAN, Minn. — The regular season, and the 53-man roster, are on the horizon.
But first, there is one final preseason game to play.
The Vikings will play their 2019 exhibition finale tonight in Buffalo, with kickoff at 6 p.m. (CT).
Both teams are 3-0 this preseason.
Here are three areas to watch in tonight’s contest, plus some noteworthy stats on both teams:
The linebackers | By @Eric_L_Smith
There might not be a deeper position group on the roster than linebacker, an area Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer mentioned earlier this month as a spot where as many as seven players could make the 53-man roster.
We’ll find out this weekend exactly how many players make it, but the linebackers will be among the most intriguing spots to watch Thursday.
Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks and Ben Gedeon likely won’t play. And while Eric Wilson might suit up, he could see a quick exit given the fact Zimmer is looking for new ways to utilize him in 2019.
The real interest is in the spots after that quartet, as there are five linebackers aiming for a handful of spots.
Kentrell Brothers has been with Minnesota since 2016, playing mostly on special teams, and Devante Downs was a 2018 seventh-round pick who played in 11 games as a rookie.
Cam Smith is the only rookie in the group; he was a fifth-round pick in April. Reshard Cliett spent the 2018 season on the practice squad, Greer Martini previously spent the 2018 offseason in Green Bay and part of the season on the Packers practice squad.
Keep an eye on special teams Thursday, as that could be a way for a linebacker or two to earn roster spots.