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EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings will start Sam Darnold at quarterback in their exhibition opener before giving rookie J.J. McCarthy his first NFL game action. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said the majority of the healthy players on the roster would see time in the preseason game Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders. O'Connell kept almost all of the starters out of preseason games over his first two years. Superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson and 13-year veteran safety Harrison Smith will not play for the Vikings. But for the first time under O'Connell, the Vikings will play their starting quarterback in the preseason.
