Dallas (toe) cleared for Week 3 backup duties

He’ll likely find his way back to the practice squad — here or elsewhere — at some point this season. This move portends that Jordan Mason will be activated for Week 7.

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.

Dallas was the only Minnesota running back besides Aaron Jones to see a backfield touch last week with Jordan Mason sidelined with injury. Dallas wouldn’t hold fantasy value unless Jones gets dinged up. Vikings declared T Caleb Tiernan, DT Elijah Williams, CB Zemaiah Vaughn, S Jakobe Thomas, S Tavierre Thomas, and P Brett Thorson inactive against the Bucs.

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.

Dallas should be fine by the time Sunday rolls around, but it’s worth noting given how thin the Vikings are at running back. Jordan Mason is on injured reserve and Aaron Jones came out of Week 2 with a knee injury. He did not practice today and his Week 3 availability is very much in question. Dallas and Demond Claiborne will split the Minnesota backfield if Jones is out. The toe injury could force Kevin O’Connell to give Claiborne a few more touches this week.

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.

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.

He’ll fill in for Bhayshul Tuten (finger) over the final three games of the season. We’re all looking forward to the legendary Week 18 Deejay Dallas game, should the Jaguars sew up their playoff position to the point where they can rest starters. Well, everyone but LeQuint Allen is, anyway.