There have been a lot of changes for the Vikings over the past week or so.

The most obvious is that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is no longer a part of the plan this season. He suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee, which surgery revealed required a full repair, and he has been placed on injured reserve as a result.

Though that opened up a roster spot in the interim, the Vikings recently filled it by agreeing to terms with veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore. He will almost certainly step into a starting role, and while that will help with the lack of depth at cornerback, it could also end up bumping somebody else to the practice squad.

After earning wins over the Las Vegas Raiders and the Cleveland Browns, the Vikings will head into this week hoping to close out the exhibition slate with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. That will give a bunch of players on the roster bubble a chance to make a final impression.

Here’s our latest 53-man roster projection for the Vikings. The Pioneer Press will update this once more next weekend after the preseason finale.

Quarterback (2)

In: Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens

Out: Jaren Hall, Matt Corral

Injured Reserve: J.J. McCarthy

Analysis: The fact that McCarthy is on injured reserve changes the calculus. Now instead of keeping a trio of quarterbacks, the Vikings will likely move forward with Darnold as the starter and Mullens as the backup. If the Vikings cut Hall, they will likely hope to slide him through to the practice squad.

Running Back (3)

In: Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu

Out: Myles Gaskin, DeWayne McBride

Analysis: Not much has changed with this group. The plan is still to pair Jones and Chandler together in the backfield with hopes of improving the rushing attack. As for Nwangwu, he has performed over the past couple of weeks and has put himself in position to earn some playing time.

Fullback (1)

In: C.J. Ham

Out: N/A

Analysis: This is an easy decision. There isn’t another fullback on the roster, and the Vikings value everything Ham can do.

Receiver (6)

In: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield, Trishton Jackson

Out: Lucky Jackson, Thayer Thomas, Malik Knowles, Jeshaun Jones, Ty James

Analysis: This group has been even more solidified over the past week. Though everything still revolves around Jefferson and Addison, there have been a number of players stepping up behind them. Whether it’s Nailor and Jackson making the flashy plays downfield, or Powell and Sherfield doing some of the dirty work, the Vikings will likely end up keeping an extra receiver when push comes to shove.

Tight End (3)

In: Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, T.J. Hockenson (PUP)

Out: Robert Tonyan, Trey Knox, Sammis Reyes

Analysis: The reps in practice have been dominated by a combination of Oliver, Mundt, and Muse. It’s going to be hard for anybody else to break through at this point. Unfortunately for Tonyan, he hasn’t practiced since going down with back spasms in the early stages of training camp, and it could end up costing him a spot on the roster.

Offensive Line (10)

In: Christian Darrisaw (LT), Blake Brandel (LG), Garrett Bradbury (C), Ed Ingram (RG), Brian O’Neill (RT), David Quessenberry (OT), Dalton Risner (OG), Dan Feeney (OG), Walter Rouse (OT), Michael Jurgens (C)

Out: Tyrese Robinson (OG), Henry Byrd (OG), Jeremy Flax (OG), Doug Nester (OG), Spencer Rolland (OG),

Analysis: There isn’t much argument about this group. The starting offensive line seems to be in place, regardless of the fact that Ingram played in the exhibition game against the Browns. As for some of the reserves, there seems to be a pretty clear pecking order.

Defensive Line (5)

In: Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery, Jonah Williams, Levi Drake Rodriguez

Out: James Lynch, Jaquelin Roy, Jalen Redmond, Tyler Manoa, Taki Taimani

Analysis: There was some impressive stuff from Rodriguez when watching the film of the game against the Browns. Not only does Rodriguez have a relentless motor, he seems to have some untapped potential, which is why he has jumped Roy on the depth chart.

Edge Rusher (5)

In: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Jihad Ward, Pat Jones II

Out: Andre Carter II, Gabe Murphy, Bo Richter, Owen Porter

Analysis: There isn’t much wiggle room based on some of the established players that have seemingly locked up a roster spot. The fact that Murphy continues to miss time doesn’t bode well for his chances of making the team. There’s a chance Richter could earn himself a roster spot if he keeps producing.

Linebackers (4)

In: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., Kamu Grugier-Hill, Brian Asamoah

Out: Dallas Gant, Jordan Kunaszyk

Analysis: It’s a good bet that Cashman, Pace, and Grugier-Hill are safe. There is a competition brewing between Asamoah and Gant, with both players suddenly battling for a roster spot.

Cornerback (6)

In: Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin, Akayleb Evans, Fabian Moreau, Dwight McGlothern, NaJee Thompson (PUP)

Out: Jay Ward, Duke Shelley, Jaylin Williams, Nahshon Wright, A.J. Green III, Jacobi Francis

Injured Reserve: Mekhi Blackmon

Analysis: The addition of Gilmore suddenly makes this group much more palatable. His presence should allow everybody else to slide into a more comfortable role more suited for their skill set. The most intriguing young player here is McGlothern. He put himself in a position to make the team after posting an interception in the preseason game game against the Browns.

Safety (5)

In: Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Lewis Cine

Out: Bobby McCain

Analysis: Maybe this is being a prisoner of the moment. That said, Cine showed enough in the game against the Browns to justify keeping him around.

Specialists (3)

In: Will Reichard (K), Ryan Wright (P), Andrew DePaola (LS)

Out: Seth Vernon (P)

Analysis: It seems like only a matter of time before Vernon gets cut. The specialists are most likely going to be Reichard, Wright and DePaola.

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