Oct 4, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons operating again Demond Claiborne (1) runs the ball through the first quarter in opposition to the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Brian Bishop-Imagn Pictures
Rookie operating again Demond Claiborne is on the town to place a fright into the opposition resulting from his blistering pace. Sadly, he’s sorting by way of some early bumps and bruises, resulting in time away from the primary motion so he can return to full well being.
Kevin Seifert of ESPN was amongst these to make word of the Vikings’ runner working off to the facet: “Running back Demond Claiborne is in full pads but running on the rehab field during the early part of practice.”
Equally, Warren Ludford of Each day Norseman famous that Claiborne was largely off to the facet, explaining, “Claiborne present but not participating – baseball cap on.”
On probably the most primary degree, seeing the child lose reps isn’t a terrific signal. What’s encouraging, although, is that he’s on the market. Clearly, he can’t be hurting an excessive amount of. Some work is healthier than no work. Take into account, as effectively, that Minnesota simply moved on from a depth runner earlier than including a nook. In all probability, the Vikings would have snagged some recent legs if there was main concern inside TCO Efficiency Middle for when the rookie may come again.
The Vikings Maintain Younger Fella Off to Aspect in 1st Padded Apply
Greatest guess as of early August is that Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are going to get the meatiest portion of the workload. Mason, specifically, seems to be like any person who may explode.
There’s then the presence of rookie fullback Max Bredeson, any person who’s inspiring a whole lot of optimism within the Twin Cities. The Vikings imagine that the Michigan blocker can do good issues early in his profession. Fairly probably, the transfer will likely be to ask the rookie to line up within the backfield, inline as a good finish, and within the slot. He, too, goes to be a vital piece of the puzzle for the bottom assault, albeit as any person who doesn’t carry the ball fairly often (if in any respect).
Nov 23, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons operating again Demond Claiborne (1) runs with the soccer in opposition to the Miami Hurricanes through the second quarter at Exhausting Rock Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Sam Navarro-Imagn Pictures
The Vikings are leaning on Claiborne to be a bolt of lightning, a fast flash to ignite the sphere as he chews up yards quick. He’ll have to get wholesome to take action.
Final 12 months, Claiborne provided the Wake Forest Demon Deacons some glorious soccer. His last stats present 179 carries for 907 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 5.1 yards-per-carry common could be very wholesome. Proving able to replicating that degree of manufacturing as a professional will imply that Claiborne has an extended NFL profession.
Claiborne’s job as a rookie is to perform because the RB3. Can he flip a display screen into an explosive acquire? Possibly flip the nook on an out of doors toss?
However then there’s one other path towards touching the soccer: as a kickoff returner. In faculty, Claiborne introduced 22 kickoffs again for a complete of 579 yards and a pair of scores. Fairly tidy.
Kevin O’Connell retains vowing that the Vikings are going to supply up a reinvigorated floor assault in 2026. Prior to now, the skipper has stated one thing comparable, so some skepticism is warranted. What’s clear is that the Vikings just like the rookie runner, as evidenced by their willingness to commerce up into the sixth to select him. He has a path towards early touches, even when the workload is prone to be modest initially.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell earlier than a recreation in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Pictures.
The Vikings are typically cautious with damage, preferring to play issues fairly cautiously quite than rush any person again. Search for Minnesota to attempt to thread the needle. Claiborne’s damage doesn’t seem too severe, so the hope is that he’ll get again in motion sooner quite than later.
Claiborne, 22, can hopefully get moving into follow earlier than too lengthy.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. E mail: okay.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
