The Minnesota Vikings completed their first preseason game against the New York Giants, and while it was not the most exciting, the guys in purple still pulled off a 13-10 win.
Most eyes were set on seeing how new starting quarterback Kyler Murray did in his first appearance in a Vikings uniform. After that, it was about how J.J. McCarthy would respond to being benched.
While those storylines dominated the headlines, some rookies had everyone watching to see how they would do. One of those first-year players was sixth-round pick Demond Claiborne, who had a lot of attention on him as a sleeper in the draft and finally showed what he could do in his NFL debut.
Minnesota Vikings fans got to see Demond Claiborne in his NFL debut with mixed results
Claiborne ended up being the leading rusher on the team and had 12 of the team's 27 total carries, with three players tied for second with three attempts.
So how did he do in his first appearance in the NFL? It could have been better on offense.
In those 12 carries, Claiborne had 34 rushing yards, averaging 2.8 yards per carry. He did have a nice nine-yard run, but for the most part was held in check by the Giants' defense. Claiborne was the only non-QB to average less than three yards per carry in the contest.
Offense wasn't the only thing Claiborne was doing, though. He also helped on kickoff returns as the primary kickoff returner. In his two returns, he picked up 50 yards, with his longest going for 28 yards.
Demond Claiborne's 12 carries for 34 yards in his Vikings preseason debut.
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 16, 2026
How'd he look? pic.twitter.com/NRNtUE1UKs
Overall, it could have been a better performance from the late-round pick, but he did show flashes of being a good player. His potential was clear, as he showed speed on the outside and good vision on special teams. He also didn't turn the ball over, which seems obvious, but it goes a long way in showing coaches a player can protect the football.
It's only the first game, so there's no need to overreact despite Vikings fans being a bit disappointed in Claiborne's performance. There's still plenty for him to build off, with the game showing he's got potential. Remember, he's running behind third- and fourth-string linemen, so it affects his play.
Two more preseason games remain, and Claiborne has a chance to make some real noise to ensure that he gets his roster spot as the RB3 of the Vikings.
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