Vikings Sign Offensive Tackle Christian DiLauro

Aug 28, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Christian DiLauro (69) during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Following their decision to waive offensive lineman Sam Sclueter on Wednesday evening, it seems that the Minnesota Vikings have quickly decided to fill the roster spot.

Shortly after making the Schlueter announcement, the Vikings made the decision to sign offensive tackle Christian DiLauro.

Vikings Sign Offensive Tackle Christian DiLauro

Vikings Sign Offensive Tackle Christian DiLauro
Jun 11, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Christian DiLauro (64) warms up before minicamp at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

The signing was initially reported by Aaron Wilson, who tweeted, “Former #Broncos offensive tackle Christian DiLauro signed with #Vikings following a successful workout, per a league source @KPRC2.”

DiLauro, a product of the Illinois Fighting Illini, has been a journeyman across the league since going undrafted in 2018. The offensive lineman spent four seasons at Illinois, and he largely played at the right tackle position. However, during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, he combined for 455 snaps at left tackle as well, displaying some versatility on the offensive line.

Apr 12, 2013; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Christian Dilauro (65) before the spring football game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

After going undrafted, DiLauro signed with the Cleveland Browns in May of 2018 where he spent training camp for his rookie season. However, he was waived prior to the season’s start. From September 2018 through the end of the 2020 season, the offensive tackle hopped between practice squads around the league.

Over those first three seasons, DiLauro had stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, and Pittsburgh Steelers, but he never appeared in an NFL game.

That finally changed in 2021 when the veteran caught on with the Tennessee Titans. DiLauro spent his time in Tennessee on the practice squad, but he made his NFL regular season debut in Week 15, playing a total of four snaps on the special teams.

Jun 11, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Christian DiLauro (64) practices with offensive tackle Daniel Brunskill (60) warms up before minicamp at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

He would appear in two games for Tennessee during that 2021 season before moving on to the Denver Broncos in 2022. With Denver during their debacle of a regular season, DiLauro appeared in three games, playing in a total of 11 special teams snaps.

Now, DiLauro heads to a Vikings team that currently rooms Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Blake Brandel, Oli Udoh, Vederian Lowe, and Bobby Evans at offensive tackle. Preseason begins a week from Thursday, with the Vikings traveling to Seattle and taking on the Seahawks on August 10th.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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