Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said this week he was considering playing starters again after a lackluster first half that resulted in a 14-0 deficit Sunday night against the 49ers. But the Vikings are expected to make the smart play and rest their main contributors.
About 20 Vikings players took part in early pre-game conditioning, generally a sign of who won't be playing during Thursday night's preseason finale against the Dolphins.
Quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Case Keenum, starting defenders in linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks and running backs Dalvin Cook, Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon were among the players getting early work.
Expected to start tonight is quarterback Taylor Heinicke, according to a league source, with ex-Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner in line to make his NFL preseason debut after signing last week.
All NFL teams must cut rosters down to 53 players by Saturday afternoon.
