2 Exiled Vikings Snatched By Other Teams
On Tuesday, the 32 NFL teams had the task of reducing the number of rostered players from 90 to 53. The Vikings, of course, did that, too. Over 1,000 players were suddenly looking for a job, and most of them had to go through the waiver process.
2 Exiled Vikings Snatched By Other Teams
The other 31 teams can claim a waived player. Minnesota’s front office didn’t grab one, but two of their departed players were awarded to other teams.
CB Reddy Steward
Cornerback Reddy Steward was buried on the depth chart, but played quite well in the preseason. He’ll now head to Dallas.
The Athletic’s Jon Machota broke the news, “Dallas Cowboys waiver claims: DB Trikweze Bridges (from the Chargers), DB Reddy Steward (from the Vikings).”
Matt Eberflus is the defensive coordinator of the Cowboys. Previously, he was the head coach of the Chicago Bears, and Steward came into the league as an undrafted rookie, signing with the Bears. Eberlus cut him last year and stashed him on the practice squad. After Chicago’s season was over, Steward could pick his next employer and signed with the Vikings.
Of course, Eberflus had been fired at that point. The duo now reunites, and Steward competes with former Vikings draft choice Andrew Booth Jr.
LB Dorian Mausi
Linebacker Dorian Mausi now takes over for Brian Asamoah on Tennessee’s roster. Minnesota’s 2022 third-rounder was cut on Tuesday.
Tom Pelissero reported this one, “The #Titans claimed LB Dorian Mausi off waivers from the #Vikings, per source.”
Undrafted out of Auburn, Mausi signed with the Vikings after April’s draft. The club also added his college teammate, linebacker Austin Keys, who is surprisingly part of the 53-man roster.
Nick Suss of the Tennessean wrote, “Mausi measures in as a bigger-bodied linebacker (6-foot-1, 234 pounds) and figures to be an option the Titans can use on special teams. He logged preseason snaps in five out of six special teams phases with Minnesota, adding a tackle. The Titans retained three other linebackers to start the year: Cody Barton, Cedric Gray and James Williams Sr.”
In that linebacker room, Mausi might actually have a chance to contribute in the upcoming season.
Vikings Didn’t Claim Anyone
The Vikes, meanwhile, didn’t add anyone via waivers. Adam Thielen remains the big addition of the day. Many have speculated whether the Vikings could try to pick up cornerback Beanie Bishop, who the Steelers axed, but for now, the roster remains unchanged except for the Thielen deal.
However, some waived players passed through waivers, including preseason star Gabriel Murphy. Once that is done, those guys can be signed to the practice squad, and that is precisely what the Vikings did with the sophomore pass rusher, who logged 1.5 sacks in the preseason and was a shocking cut. Brian Flores will instead rely on Bo Richter and Chaz Chambliss, who are on the 53-man roster.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.