Vikings Preseason Star Lands with Raiders Active Roster

Aug 14, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Albert Wilson (25) makes a touchdown reception against the Las Vegas Raiders during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Every year, there are players that perform well in the preseason that just miss out on the final 53-man roster. In 2021, such a player that comes to mind is RB A.J. Rose. Over the course of the three preseason games in 2021, Rose rushed 37 times for 151 yards and the only two offensive touchdowns of the Vikings preseason. Nevertheless, the star was cut, and is yet to play a regular season game.

A similar phenomenon happened during the 2022 preseason with WR Albert Wilson. In the first exhibition game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Wilson caught two passes that went for 22 yards and two touchdowns. In Minnesota’s next preseason game, he was targeted just once and immediately thereafter cut from the roster.

However, Wilson’s story continues as this week, he signed with the team he scored those preseason touchdowns against–the Raiders.

Wilson joins Las Vegas during their bye week, so we won’t get to see the receiver in action this weekend. However, he looks to be a somewhat important piece for the Raiders in their Week 7 matchup with the Houston Texans. He is one of five wide receivers on the active roster after DJ Turner hit IR last month.

  • Davante Adams
  • Hunter Renfrow
  • Mack Hollins
  • Keelan Cole
  • Albert Wilson

Of course, Wilson is an NFL veteran who has gotten multiple NFL chances since joining the league in 2014 following his 2013 collegiate season with Georgia State where he recorded 71 catches, 1177 yards, and 8 TDs.

Wilson joined the Kansas City Chiefs as an UDFA in 2014 and spent his first four years there. After his contract expired, he signed with the Miami Dolphins and played three seasons with them (2018, 2019, 2021).

Overall, the 30-year-old receiver has recorded 218 receptions, 2499 yards, and 12 TDs over his seven years in the NFL. His best of those seasons came in 2017 with the Chiefs when he caught 42 passes for 554 yards and 3 TDs. It was his final season in KC as well as the final year of Alex Smith’s starting tenure before Patrick Mahomes took over.

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This move by the Raiders is just the latest connection between the Minnesota and Las Vegas in 2022. Days after the two teams met in the preseason, the Vikings traded for QB Nick Mullens as a response to Kellen Mond’s lack of growth from his rookie season. When the Raiders and Texans kick off on October 23rd, we’ll have to see if the former Viking lands in a WR3-WR4 role for the Black and Silver.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing as well as minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his takes, NFL and otherwise, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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