LAS VEGAS — The Vikings opted to keep many of their prominent offensive and defensive starters out of their first preseason game, sitting 13 players against the Raiders on Sunday.
Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen will not play on Sunday, the team announced. The Vikings will also hold out five starters on defense: cornerback Patrick Peterson, safety Harrison Smith, linebacker Eric Kendricks and edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Za'Darius Smith.
The Vikings had already planned to be without quarterback Kirk Cousins because of COVID-19 and tight end Irv Smith after right thumb surgery.