The Minnesota Vikings have shaved their roster down to 53 players after two days of roster cuts. Here’s where they stand as of Saturday afternoon after a pair of surprising moves involving veterans.
QB (3): Kirk Cousins, Trevor Siemian, Kyle Sloter
Cut: Peter Pujals
Kyle Sloter stays on the team, meaning the Vikings will field three quarterbacks.
RB/FB (4): Dalvin Cook, Latavius Murray, Mike Boone, Roc Thomas, C.J. Ham (FB)
Cut: Kobe McCrary, Luke McNitt, Mack Brown
Possible Mr. Mankato winner Mike Boone makes the team as anticipated, but Roc Thomas also makes it through after having a nice preseason of his own. A bit surprising to keep four running backs and a fullback.
WR (5): Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Laquon Treadwell, Brandon Zylstra, Stacy Coley
Cut: Cayleb Jones, Korey Robertson, Jake Wieneke, Chad Beebe, Jeff Badet, Kendall Wright, Tavarres King
The Vikings solved their agonizing wide receiver quandary by waiving upstart Chad Beebe and cutting Kendall Wright, while retaining Brandon Zylstra and Stacy Coley. Coley has been dealing with a groin injury, but he has appeared close to a return at practice.
TE (3): Kyle Rudolph, David Morgan II, Tyler Conklin
Cut: Blake Bell, Tyler Hoppes
The Vikings stuck with their rookie Tyler Conklin over veteran Blake Bell and UDFA Tyler Hoppes.
OT (4): Riley Reiff, Rashod Hill, Brian O’Neill, Aviante Collins
Cut: Dieugot Joseph, Storm Norton
Minnesota opted to hang on to Aviante Collins as a swing lineman who can play four positions if asked. Reiff, Hill and O’Neill were locks.
OG/C (5): Mike Remmers, Pat Elflein, Danny Isidora, Brett Jones, Tom Compton
Cut: Kareem Are, Kaleb Johnson, J.P. Quinn, Josh Andrews, Colby Gossett, Cornelius Edison
Multiple reports confirmed that Pat Elflein will not begin the season on the PUP (ankle/shoulder), and it ended up costing Cornelius Edison a roster spot despite Edison starting much of the preseason. Now the question becomes: Who starts in Week 1 if Elflein isn’t yet ready?
OFFENSE: 25
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DE (4): Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter, Tashawn Bower, Stephen Weatherly
Cut: Brian Robison, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Jonathan Wynn
In a shocking move, the Vikings released 11-year veteran Brian Robison, who was their longest tenured team member. Robison reworked his contract to return, but the Vikings got so much from their young defensive linemen this preseason that there ostensibly wasn’t room to retain Robison. Stephen Weatherly and Tashawn Bower will be the backup ends.
DT (5): Linval Joseph, Sheldon Richardson, Jaleel Johnson, Jalyn Holmes, David Parry
Cut: Curtis Cothran
In a mild surprise, Minnesota hung on to true nose tackle David Parry over the more flexible Ifeadi Odenigbo, who could play 3-technique or edge. Fourth-round pick Jalyn Holmes also made it through.
LB (5): Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Ben Gedeon, Eric Wilson, Devante Downs
Cut: Antwione Williams, Brett Taylor, Mike Needham, Reshard Cliett, Garret Dooley
Suspended: Kentrell Brothers
Seventh-round pick Devante Downs wound up being the fifth linebacker instead of the trendy Reshard Cliett. Kentrell Brothers waits in the wings to be activated in Week 5.
CB (6): Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Mike Hughes, Marcus Sherels, Holton Hill
Cut: Trevon Mathis, Horace Richardson, Craig James
Retired: Terence Newman
If you thought the Robison move was shocking, how about Terence Newman retiring and agreeing to join the Vikings coaching staff? It’s likely the Vikings were going to cut Newman and leave a spot available for Holton Hill, so Newman elected to stay on board in a different capacity instead of looking for a new team. Marcus Sherels also survives for yet another year.
S (5): Harrison Smith, Andrew Sendejo, George Iloka, Anthony Harris, Jayron Kearse
Cut: Tray Matthews, Jack Tocho
The Vikings usually keep just four safeties, but they added a fifth this year in late acquisition George Iloka. Jayron Kearse, thought to be the odd man out, made it through, probably thanks to his special teams prowess.
DEFENSE: 25
SPEC (3): Daniel Carlson, Ryan Quigley, Kevin McDermott
No surprise.
OFFENSE: 25
DEFENSE: 25
SPECIAL TEAMS: 3
The Vikings may still scan the waiver wire to add personnel before the weekend is complete.
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