Minnesota Vikings undrafted rookie safety Jacob Thomas appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario after suffering a scary-looking injury in the preseason finale against the Denver Broncos. After the game, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Thomas was believed to have suffered a sprained ankle, which was good news overall.
After carrying his strong training camp performance into each of the Vikings’ first two preseason games, Thomas appeared to have locked up a spot on the 53-man roster.
But as an undrafted rookie -- and despite being the clubhouse leader to be this year’s “Mr. Mankato,” a hypothetical award given to the best unheralded player at Vikings training camp -- Thomas suited up for and started the preseason finale. The award is a nod to Mankato, where the Vikings held training camp for more than 50 years.
A 34-6 loss to cap the preseason was bad enough, even in the most meaningless of the games that don’t count. But on the opening drive, Thomas suffered what initially looked like a potentially serious ankle or lower-leg injury.
Minnesota Vikings can preserve Jacob Thomas’ roster spot after favorable ankle diagnosis
Alec Lewis of The Athletic reported Saturday that Thomas had suffered a Grade 1 ankle sprain, confirming O’Connell’s initial belief.
Vikings UDFA safety Jacob Thomas has a Grade 1 ankle sprain, a source tells The Athletic. Considered very positive news after Friday’s injury. Thomas has had an exceptional training camp and has been in line to make the 53-man roster.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 29, 2026
Thomas finished the preseason with 11 total tackles, including seven solo stops and four assists, along with one interception and two passes defended. Thomas’ best stretch came over the first two games, when he produced 10 tackles and two impact plays in coverage. He also earned a start in the finale, reflecting how quickly the undrafted safety had climbed Minnesota’s depth chart.
On the scale of potential scenarios, a Grade 1 ankle sprain is the best outcome for Thomas and the Vikings. Something worse could have instantly torpedoed all the positive momentum he's built over the past month, and likely would've left him off the 53-man roster. Placement on IR or the PUP list to keep him around would be possible, depending on the full breadth of roster mechanics, but the lowest amount of possible missed time is always the best.
Grade 1 ankle sprains have a generally expected recovery time of 1-to-3 weeks. With 15 days before the Vikings' season opener against the Green Bay Packers, if that is indeed his injury, it's possible Thomas will be good to go without needing a stint on IR or the PUP list.
In any case, Thomas isn't in line to miss much time and his rightful place on the Vikings' 53-man roster should be intact.
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