Vikings Tweak Their Practice Squad
The Minnesota Vikings are in the midst of their best chance to win a Super Bowl since at least the 2017 season when Mike Zimmer’s defense was in its prime and Case Keenum led a magical run. At 13-2, the franchise is still in the run for the divisional crown and the top seed in the NFC.
Vikings Tweak Their Practice Squad
Teams exchange players on the 53-man roster and add guys to the 16-man practice squad all the time. On Thursday, the organization announced the signing of defensive lineman Jonathan Harris to the practice squad. Cornerback Kelvin Joseph had to make room for him.
The club announced on X: “The Vikings have signed DL Jonathan Harris to the practice squad and released CB Kelvin Joseph from the practice squad.”
Joseph was signed on December 4. A second-rounder in 2021, the Kentucky product had spent the first two years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys before having stints with the Dolphins, Seahawks, Chiefs, Colts, and Vikings.
He appeared in 33 career games with four different franchises, registering 40 tackles. More than half of his 941 snaps came on special teams. The Vikings signed former 49ers defender Ambry Thomas to the practice squad on Christmas Eve, making Joseph expendable. He is now looking for another chance somewhere.
Harris joins a defensive line crew that has surprisingly been effective in the 2024 season, although most fans thought it would be Minnesota’s primary weakness.
He played college football at Lindenwood (MIAA), where he recorded 22 sacks in his career. As an undrafted rookie, Harris signed with the Chicago Bears. Despite failing to make the initial 53-man roster, he made his NFL debut for the Bears against the Vikings in 2019.
The Bears waived him, but the Broncos claimed him off waivers. He spent until earlier this year in Denver, transferring between the practice squad and the 53-man roster. In October 2024, the Panthers signed him off their practice squad.
Harris has played in 40 career games (seven in 2024), registering 91 tackles and one sack. Carolina waived him on December 23, making him available for Brian Flores and the Vikings.
The defender joins a defensive line with numerous players.
- Harrison Phillips
- Jerry Tillery
- Jonathan Bullard
- Jalen Redmond
- Levi Drake Rodriguez
- Taki Taimani (injured reserve)
- Travis Bell (practice squad)
- Jonathan Harris (practice squad)
The recent emergence of Jalen Redmond has been a huge story. He started in the two games against the Falcons and the Bears, but a concussion prevented him from competing in the last contest in Seattle.
Harris likely needs a few players to sustain injuries to actually appear in a game with a purple uniform.
At the age of 28, Harris has already carved out a decent career, considering his alma mater has only produced a handful of NFL players.
The purple team will face the Packers on Sunday, hoping to stay alive in the division race and the NFC’s top seed.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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