Minnesota Vikings: What does the backfield look like without Roc Thomas?

The Minnesota Vikings waived the second-year running back on Wednesday afternoon, making their running back picture much clearer entering training camp.

It seems like an eternity ago, but earlier this offseason Minnesota Vikings running back Roc Thomas was arrested and charged with fifth-degree felony possession of a controlled substance. With that substance being marijuana, the NFL took almost the entire offseason before deciding to suspend Thomas for the first three games of the season.

As the hammer came down on Thomas, the Vikings took about another week before deciding that they could live without the second-year running back on the roster. With four days remaining until their first practice of training camp, Minnesota waived Thomas and quickly patched up the roster spot by signing guard Tiano Pupungatoa.

While signing Pupungatoa provides depth for the Vikings at guard during camp (something they sorely needed last year), the effect that Thomas has will be felt more in the running back room as some of the players on the bubble can breathe a little easier heading up to Eagan.

As expected, Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison will still remain the 1-2 punch in the Vikings backfield. Many hope that 2018 will remain a breakout season for Cook after battling injuries in each of his first two seasons in the NFL. Meanwhile, Mattison will look to provide power in the backfield and prove that the Vikings were correct in selecting him with a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Instead of a move that shakes the top of the depth chart, the departure of Thomas will be felt toward the bottom. Thomas fought tooth-and-nail with Mike Boone last year for the third running back spot and after a strong performance in the first preseason game in Denver, Thomas didn’t do too much after that as Boone took over the lead.

With the mid-season signing of Ameer Abdullah, Thomas found himself further down the depth chart and was going to be in a battle even before his legal troubles and the drafting of Mattison. As it stands now, Boone will now battle Abdullah for the third running back spot and there’s the possibility that both could make the team if the Vikings decide to keep Abdullah as a kick returner, a role they used him in when they acquired him from the Detroit Lions last fall.

Either way, the running back wasn’t expected to have a major shakeup in camp (barring injury) and this development just means there will be a little less drama in the Vikings backfield.