Vikings Win a Rare Waiver Claim
The front office had a busy Wednesday filled with various moves. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his staff acquired a pair of players. Interior offensive lineman Matthew Cindric returned after a few months away from the team. The former Cal center had been released in May to make room for Dalton Risner. But he isn’t the only new player.
Vikings Win a Rare Waiver Claim
On the same day ‒ Wednesday ‒ the Vikings were awarded tight end Neal Johnson off waivers, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Johnson spent five seasons at the University of Louisiana, playing 59 games for the Ragin’ Cajuns. He tabulated 101 catches for 1,196 yards and 11 touchdowns, consistently improving his numbers every season.
His best output came in 2023 with 383 yards and five scores. Perhaps his most impressive feat is that he caught at least one pass in each one of his last 26 games.
He went unselected in the 2024 draft and signed with the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams waived him in the offseason, so he joined the New York Jets earlier in August. Johnson caught a six-yard pass in New York’s recent preseason win versus the Carolina Panthers.
The tight end enters a full position room. Minnesota now employs nine tight ends:
- T.J. Hockenson
- Josh Oliver
- Johnny Mundt
- Nick Muse
- Robert Tonyan
- N’Keal Harry
- Trey Knox
- Sammis Reyes
- Neal Johnson
T.J. Hockenson is obviously the team’s TE1, and the Vikings want their dynamic tight end back as soon as possible. Until he returns from his late-January knee surgery, blocking tight end Josh Oliver and versatile player Johnny Mundt figure to see significant playing time.
A third spot is available on the roster, and the favorites should be Nick Muse and Robert Tonyan. The latter has missed time with an injury, opening the door for Muse to excel in the preseason. He recorded four catches for 34 yards in the two preseason games.
Like all the other teams, the Vikings will trim their roster to 53 players on August 27. Saying goodbye to 38 players is certainly among the hardest jobs for every general manager. In all likelihood, Johnson will be part of those 38 but could potentially claim a spot on the practice squad by performing well in the few days he is in the building.
To make room for him and Cindric, the Vikings waived special teams standout NaJee Thompson and offensive tackle Jeremy Flax with injury designations. If they aren’t claimed off waivers, they will return to the Vikings and be stashed on IR.
Editor’s Note: Information from Sports Reference CFB 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