Claiborne carried the ball three times for 12 yards during Minnesota's win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
Claiborne continued to serve a limited role behind Aaron Jones even with Jordan Mason (thumb) on injured reserve. Claiborne will look to be more involved offensively during next week's matchup versus the Saints.
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Vikings' Demond Claiborne: Minimal usage in win
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Claiborne caught his sole target for two yards in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Bears.
Claiborne is the No. 2 running back behind Aaron Jones while Jordan Mason (thumb) recovers on IR. The 22-year-old saw just two offensive snaps in Sunday's game, meaning DeeJay Dallas could have a shot at claiming the backup role from the sixth-rounder in the future.
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Vikings' Demond Claiborne: In line for larger role sans Mason
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Claiborne was a healthy scratch for the Vikings' Week 1 win over the Packers, but he's in line for a larger role for at least the next four games after Jordan Mason (thumb) was placed on injured reserve, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Mason, Aaron Jones and DeeJay Dallas were Minnesota's three active running backs for Sunday's 39-22 win over Green Bay, with Claiborne observing the game in street clothes. Mason's injury means Jones is the clear RB1 on the roster while the former is sidelined, but Claiborne will be in the mix for backup duties, with Dallas -- who was signed to the Vikings' active roster from the practice squad Wednesday -- being the rookie sixth-rounder's main competition. The Vikings hit the road for a Week 2 NFC North tilt this Sunday against the Bears, whose defense gave up 478 total yards -- including 125 rushing yards -- to the Panthers in a 59-37 Week 1 win for Chicago.
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Vikings' Demond Claiborne: Does little with eight carries
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Claiborne rushed eight times for 21 yards in the Vikings' 34-6 preseason loss to the Broncos on Friday. He also returned two kickoffs for 55 yards.
The rookie sixth-round pick drew the start and carried the ball on the Vikings' first two plays from scrimmage. Claiborne was given ample opportunity this preseason, rushing 28 times for 73 yards and adding a seven-yard reception on his only target. While Claiborne found running room at a premium, he did average 25.2 yards on his five kickoff returns, and special teams may be his ticket to a spot on the initial 53-man roster.
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Vikings' Demond Claiborne: Bottled up in preseason loss
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Claiborne turned eight carries into 18 yards and caught his lone target for seven yards during the Vikings' 13-3 loss to the Ravens on Saturday. He also returned one kickoff for 21 yards.
The rookie sixth-rounder was listed as the starter while veterans Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason observed Saturday's game from the sidelines. Claiborne's longest carry of the night went for nine yards, but he combined for only nine yards over his other seven rushes. Through two preseason games, the Wake Forest product has turned 20 carries into 52 yards (2.6 YPC) while adding 71 yards on three kickoff returns. Jones and Mason both figure to see the bulk of the Vikings' workload out of the backfield this season, so most of Claiborne's playing time may come on special teams as a returner on kickoffs.
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Vikings' Demond Claiborne: Scooped by Vikings
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The Vikings selected Claiborne in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 198th overall.
Claiborne brings a dynamic skillset to Minnesota after four years at Wake Forest -- two as a starter. The 22-year-old is a patient runner with the speed (4.37 40-yard dash) to break open a play when he sees daylight. At 5-foot-10, 188 pounds, he doesn't project as a consistent threat between the tackles, but there's clear upside if the Vikings can get him into space. Over his final two seasons, Claiborne rushed 407 times for 1,956 yards and 21 touchdowns while adding 51 receptions for 194 yards and two scores. Claiborne could earn his keep in a third-down role if he can tidy up his pass blocking, but it's a crowded room for now with 31-year-old Aaron Jones leading the way ahead of Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott.
