Road to 53: Vikings Roster Cut Tracker 2024
Like all other teams, the Vikings must trim their roster to 53 players by Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. CT. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah started with 91 players on Monday, so at least 38 athletes will not make the initial 53-man roster. Around the NFL, over 1,000 players hit the open market.
Road to 53: Vikings Roster Cut Tracker 2024
Vikings Announce Remaining Roster Cuts:
These players have been waived:
- S Lewis Cine
- RB Kene Nwangwu
- CB Nahshon Wright
- OLB Andre Carter II
- OL Henry Byrd
- G Tyrese Robinson
- WR Lucky Jackson
- WR Jeshaun Jones
- WR Thayer Thomas
- DL Jaquelin Roy
- LB Dallas Gant
- OLB Bo Richter
They will now go through the waiver process. If they are unclaimed, the Vikings can re-sign them to the 53-man roster or the practice squad.
The following players were released:
- TE N’Keal Harry
- CB Duke Shelley
- RB Myles Gaskin
- DB Bobby McCain
- DL James Lynch
- TE Robert Tonyan
- DL Jonah Williams
They are free to sign with any team as they count as vested veterans.
Receiver Malik Knowles has been waived with an injury designation. If he’s clearing waivers, he will revert to Minnesota’s IR.
Linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk has been placed on season-ending IR.
And as previously reported, T.J. Hockenson will stay on the PUP list. Gabriel Murphy and Dalton Risner will begin the season on IR. All three are eligible to return following Week 4.
The Fan Favorite Is Gone
Duke Shelley shined in a few games in Minnesota’s 2022 season and returned early in training camp after a one-year break. He didn’t do enough to earn a roster spot this time.
Bo Richter and Tyrese Robinson on the Chopping Block
Bo Richter produced some highlight plays in the preseason, but the Vikings have a deep pass-rushing group. He’s a strong practice squad option.
Offensive guard Tyrese Robinson spent last year on the practice squad, and considering the lack of depth and Risner’s injury, he might be signed up for that group again.
Veteran Safety Released
The Vikings acquired Brian Flores’ old friend Bobby McCain when the secondary’s injuries piled up, but in Minnesota’s excellent safety depth, it was hard to find a roster spot for the 31-year-old.
Returning Lineman Will Be Cut, But a Return Is Likely
James Lynch tore his ACL in last year’s training camp and missed the 2023 campaign. The Vikings re-signed him, but the franchise will look in a different direction to fill the defensive line. Still, he is a practice squad candidate.
No More Kene
Kene Nwanwgu was once one of the league’s top returners, but his tenure with the Vikings ends here. Whether the change of the kick return rules or his inability to contribute on offense led to the release is unclear. The Vikings only employ two halfbacks.
Andre Carter II Experiment Ends
Last year’s undrafted rookie will not be part of the Minnesota Vikings going forward. He received some snaps last year and had a ton of reps in the preseason, but the team is done with the former Army standout.
RB4 Myles Gaskin Out
The Vikings entered the preseason with starter Aaron Jones, backup Ty Chandler, kick returner and RB3 Kene Nwangwu, and last year’s practice squad players Myles Gaskin and DeWayne McBride.
The two latter are gone, leaving the Vikes with only three runners.
Vikings Axe 2023 Draft Pick
2023 fifth-rounder Jaquelin Roy has received permission to seek a trade. If he can’t find a destination, he will be waived, according to Tom Pelissero.
T.J. Hockenson on PUP, Gabriel Murphy on IR
Star tight end Hockenson will remain on the PUP list and is eligible to be activated after Week 4. Undrafted rookie Murphy will by placed on short-term IR and is also eligible to return after a four-game absence.
First Wave on Monday, 26/8:
Adofo-Mensah’s first moves came Monday morning when 14 players were shown the door.
- QB Matt Corral
- RB DeWayne McBride
- RB Mo Ibrahim
- TE Sammis Reyes
- TE Neal Johnson
- WR Justin Hall
- OL Chuck Filiaga
- OL Doug Nester
- OL Matt Cindric
- OL Spencer Rolland
- DL Tyler Manoa
- OLB Owen Porter
- CB Jaylin Williams
- CB A.J. Green
The first 13 players were waived. A.J. Green was released as he is a vested veteran.
Dalton Risner Placed on IR
Offensive guard Dalton Risner has been placed on IR. He will be eligible to return after four weeks from his back injury and will not count toward the 53-man roster until he does.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson could follow him sooner rather than later. The NFL implemented a new rule. Players can be placed on IR with an option to return later in the season. In previous years, teams had to carry them through the cutdown deadline, costing a roster spot.
This page will continue to update in real-time with roster updates.
Below is the team’s live depth chart, although unofficial. Rookies are in bold.
Offense
Quarterback
QB1: Sam Darnold
QB2: Nick Mullens
QB3: Jaren Hall
IR: J.J. McCarthy
Running Back
RB1: Aaron Jones
RB2: Ty Chandler
Fullback
FB1: C.J. Ham
Wide Receiver
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Jalen Nailor
WR4: Brandon Powell
WR5: Trishton Jackson
WR6: Trent Sherfield
Tight End
TE1: Josh Oliver
TE2: Johnny Mundt
TE3: Nick Muse
PUP: T.J. Hockenson
Left Tackle
LT1: Christian Darrisaw
LT2: Walter Rouse
IR: Jeremy Flax
Right Tackle
RT1: Brian O’Neill
RT2: David Quessenberry
Center
C1: Garrett Bradbury
C2: Dan Feeney
Left Guard
LG1: Blake Brandel
LG2: Michael Jurgens
Right Guard
RG1: Ed Ingram
IR: Dalton Risner
Defense
Outside Linebacker
OLB1: Jonathan Greenard
OLB2: Andrew Van Ginkel
OLB3: Dallas Turner
OLB4: Patrick Jones II
OLB5: Jihad Ward
IR: Gabriel Murphy
Defensive End
DE1: Jerry Tillery
DE2: Jonathan Bullard
DE3: Levi Drake Rodriguez
DE4: Jalen Redmond
Nose Tackle
NT1: Harrison Phillips
NT2: Taki Taimani
Middle Linebacker
MLB1: Ivan Pace Jr.
MLB2: Brian Asamoah
Weakside Linebacker
WLB1: Blake Cashman
WLB2: Kamu Grugier-Hill
IR: Jabril Cox, Jordan Kunaszyk
Cornerback
CB1: Stephon Gilmore
CB2: Byron Murphy
CB3: Shaquill Griffin
CB4: Akayleb Evans
CB5: Dwight McGlothern
CB6: Fabian Moreau
IR: Mekhi Blackmon, NaJee Thompson
Safety
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Camryn Bynum
S3: Josh Metellus
S4: Theo Jackson
S5: Jay Ward
Special Teams
Kicker
K1: Will Reichard
Punter
P1: Ryan Wright
Long Snapper
LS: Andrew DePaola
Kick Returner
KR1: Ty Chandler
KR2: Brandon Powell
Punt Returner
PR1: Brandon Powell
PR2: Jalen Nailor
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt