What happened: The assignment settles the jersey question that followed Cousins' return. Thomas is a rookie safety drafted 98th overall out of Miami in 2026.
Why it matters: Cousins wore No. 8 during his previous stint in Minnesota. The Vikings are 6-2 entering Sunday's trip to Green Bay.
By the numbers: Cousins completed 202 of 315 passes for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2026 through nine games.
What to watch: Whether Cousins starts Sunday remains open.