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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kevin Fielder

81 days until Vikings season opener: Every player to wear No. 81

It’s the final countdown…

Well, sort of.

The Minnesota Vikings will kick off their 2023 regular season in 81 days at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 10.

From now until then, we will take a trip down memory lane and count each day by revisiting the players that have worn that specific jersey number.

Undrafted wide receiver Malik Knowles currently wears the number, but he’ll face an uphill climb to make the 53-man roster. The last player to wear the number in a game was Olabisi Johnson, who wore the number from 2019 to 2022.

With 81 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to wear No. 81 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):

WR Olabisi Johnson (2019-2022)

(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

TE Blake Bell (2017)

Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

WR Jerome Simpson (2012-2013)

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

TE Visanthe Shiancoe (2007-2011)

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

WR Bethel Johnson (2006)

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

WR Nate Burleson (2003-2005)

(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

WR Chris Walsh (1994-2002)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

WR Anthony Carter (1985-1993)

Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

WR Rickey Parks (1987)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

TE Joe Senser (1980-1984)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

DE Carl Eller (1964-1978)

Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports

E Leon Clarke (1963)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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