Vikes OC: Claiborne ‘much more comfortable’

Claiborne was given chances to contribute on the Vikings’ seventh and 10th drives. The rookie was unable to maximize his touches and had a catch behind the line of scrimmage that he took back to the line, negated by a holding penalty. Claiborne’s best play was an eight-yard run off the right tackle. That said, he out-touched DeeJay Dallas, who bagged only a 10-yard checkdown on the opening drive.

Claiborne was the only Vikings back besides Aaron Jones to see a touch out of the backfield. DeeJay Dallas, meanwhile, was banged up coming into Week 3 and did not record a touch against the Bucs. Claiborne could see a fantasy-viable workload if Jones gets nicked up and Jordan Mason remains sidelined. He’s worth an add in deeper formats.

Jones, 31, injured his knee in Week 2 against the Bears and sat out yesterday’s practice. The fact that he is back today puts him on track to play. He will likely be listed as a limited participant, but a full session would be unsurprising. Jones is backed up by rookie RB Demond Claiborne, who would likely handle lead back duties if Jones were to miss time, and receiving specialist RB DeeJay Dallas.

Jones tweaked his knee in the Vikings’ Week 2 win over the Bears. He ultimately played through the issue during the second half and racked up 23 carries for 105 yards. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said he was “pretty sore” after the game. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert added today that Jones playing in Week 3 is “not a sure thing.” Jones simply can’t handle that large of a workload at this point in his career, and the team will likely get DeeJay Dallas and Demond Claiborne more involved this week, even if Jones is able to suit up. If he can’t, those two backs will likely split the backfield.

According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, Claiborne and RB DeeJay Dallas will also be “part of the group” that backs up starting RB Aaron Jones with RB Jordan Mason (thumb) on injured reserve. Dallas was active last week, while the team kept Claiborne, the rookie, inactive, so it stands to reason that Dallas could play more snaps than Claiborne. That said, some beat reporters viewed Claiborne favorably this summer. He can be stashed on benches in 12-team leagues to see how things shake out.

That escalated quickly. On Monday, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Mason’s “sore thumb” was being evaluated. Apparently, it had sustained a small fracture, which has now been “fixed,” ostensibly surgically, given O’Connell’s phrasing. Short-term injured reserve placement requires players to miss four games, but the Vikings are on bye in Week 6, so Mason will be eligible to return in Week 7. Mason led the backfield with 15 carries in Week 1, so his absence provides RB Aaron Jones with a touch-count boost. Veteran RB DeeJay Dallas operated as the RB3. Rookie RB Demond Claiborne was inactive last week, but should be active in Week 2 against the Lions. Speculatively stashing him could be worthwhile.

Claiborne was slated for RB3 duties after making the Vikings’ final roster over Zavier Scott, but he’ll have to wait at least one more week. He is not worth holding, even in deep fantasy formats.

Scott signed his ERFA tender with Minnesota this offseason but was ultimately beaten out for the RB3 job by rookie Demond Claiborne. He is a candidate to sign with the Vikings practice squad after rosters settle. Claiborne is officially a name to know in deeper leagues, though he remains parked behind Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones for now.

Lewis believes that “in the long haul, the Vikings project a potentially game-breaking role.” Thus far, Claiborne’s new teammates have taken to addressing him by his childhood nickname, “Lightning.” And, Lewis, in an admittedly over-the-top manner, describes Claiborne’s lateral movements as “the closest thing you’ll find to real-life teleportation.” Hyperbole aside, beat reporters do not always take the time to write features on sixth-round rookies. Given Lewis’ short-term stipulations, it sounds as though Claiborne might be given the chance to compete for a role in the passing game this summer. Starting RB Aaron Jones is entering his age-31 season, and RB Jordan Mason, 27, is a one-dimensional rusher. The two veterans are ahead of Claiborne on the depth chart, no doubt, but this is not an elite one-two punch. Keep an eye on Claiborne this summer.

A four-year college player, Claiborne is an explosive, shifty running back. He stands 5’10/188 and ran a 4.37-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. Claiborne increased his yards per carry and reception totals each season and consecutively received third- and second-team All-ACC honors over the last two years. He posted a 229/1,053/11 rushing line and a 22/250/2 receiving line in 2024 before going for 179/909/10 and 28/137/0 in 2025. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler says, “he has the mismatch-creating athleticism and receiving upside to be a diet version” of Dolphins RB De’Von Achane. Operating in a change-of-pace role in Minnesota this year is the most likely outcome, though his high-end potential should not be written off.