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

51 days until Vikings season opener: Every player to wear No. 51

It’s the final countdown…

Well, sort of.

The Minnesota Vikings will kick off their 2023 regular season in 51 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.

Benton Whitley currently wears the number for the Vikings, but it’s changed hands a few times in team history. Jim Hough was among those to wear it for an extended period, wearing it for nine seasons.

With 51 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to wear No. 51 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):

LB Benton Whitley (2022-Present)

Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

OG Wyatt Davis (2021-2022)

AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn

DE Hercules Mata'afa (2019-2020)

AP Photo/Jim Mone

OLB Edmond Robinson (2015-2016)

Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

LB Josh Kaddu (2014)

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

LB Larry Dean (2011-2013)

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

LB Ben Leber (2006-2010)

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

DE Lance Johnstone (2001-2005)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

LB Mitch Palmer (2000)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

LB Rom Holmberg (1999)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

LB Ben Hanks (1996)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

LB Broderick Thomas (1995)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

LB Carlos Jenkins (1991-1994)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

LB David Howard (1987-1989)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

LB Peter Najarian (1987)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

OG Jim Hough (1978-1986)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

OC Godfrey Zaunbrecher (1971-1973)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

LB Dave Tobey (1966-1967)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

DE Jim Leo (1962)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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