Overview
- The Vikings signed running back Jemar Jefferson and waived Jordan Mims on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, a move confirmed by the team’s tweet and national reporting.
- Jefferson was a 2021 seventh-round pick out of Oregon State who rushed for 2,920 yards and 27 touchdowns in 27 college games but has had limited NFL carries while moving between practice squads and short roster stints.
- Minnesota’s backfield is led by veteran Aaron Jones with Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott, and rookie Demond Claiborne ahead of Jefferson on the depth chart, so Jefferson faces an uphill path to make the active roster.
- Jordan Mims, an undrafted 2023 player from Fresno State who rushed for 3,290 college yards, was with the Vikings for just over two weeks before being waived to clear the roster spot.
- Jefferson will be evaluated in practices and the preseason game slate and is most likely competing for a short-term depth role or a practice-squad spot that would provide injury insurance and extra competition for Minnesota.