Vikings place RB Mason (thumb) on injured reserve

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.

Mason didn’t appear to have any issues in Week 1’s win, but adrenaline does carry athletes at times. We’ll likely get an update on this on Wednesday at the latest — we’d consider Mason likely to play in Week 2’s game against the Bears at this point.

Mason led the team in carries but only rushed three more times than Aaron Jones, who also found the end zone. Both backs also ran nine routes each, though Jones was targeted once while Mason did not see a look in the passing game. Mason’s lack of a role through the air will limit his weekly ceiling, but a floor of double-digit carries isn’t half bad. He will sit in the RB3 ranks for his Week 2 date with the Bears.

Jordan Mason saw three more carries and also scored. Jones was only targeted once, but that was one more time than Mason, at least. Both backs logged nine routes. Jones is ultimately the lesser half of the committee, but he should see the ball enough to hang around the back of the RB3 ranks in Week 2.

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.

Dallas was the odd man out in the backfield after the signing of Chris Rodriguez, ultimately prompting his release. The team will move forward with Bhayshul Tuten, Rodriguez, and LeQuint Allen atop the depth chart entering the regular season. Also waived or released were LB Yasir Abdullah, QB Joey Aguilar, DT Tommy Akingbesote, DL T.J. Bollers, WR Brady Boyd, WR Chandler Brayboy, LB Amari Burney, OL Jerome Carvin, DE Quindarius Dunnigan, TE Patrick Herbert, CB Preston Hodge, DT Jalen Hunt, OL Ricky Lee, LB Jalen McLeod, OL Timothy McKay, CB Jabbar Muhammed, S Devin Neal Jr., OL Jimto Obidegwu, WR Trebor Peña, S Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, RB J’Mari Taylor, S Trevian Thomas, WR Michael Wortham, OL Kilian Zierer, QB Carter Bradley, DT Kelvie Rose, CB Corey Ballentine, OL Geron Christian Jr., OL Chuma Edoga, WR Tim Jones, QB Nick Mullens, OL Sam Mustipher, LB Baylon Spector, and WR Austin Trammell.

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.

The 2026 fifth-round pick currently figures to slot behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, but given how often Jones has spent time on the shelf, he should have some deeper-league value in 2026. Having the offensive coordinator praising you this early into camp certainly isn’t a bad thing.

Mason stands 5'11 and his weight is listed between 223-230 pounds depending on the source. He hits the latter figure on the Vikings’ website. That’s fairly hefty for a running back. The Vikings’ starter, RB Aaron Jones, is 31 years old and took a pay cut to stay with the team this offseason. Mason, 27, might have a chance to challenge for the primary rushing role this year, though Jones will likely remain the primary player on passing downs.

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.