Colts Add Recently Released Viking
We’ve reached the preseason, and roster moves will pile up in the next few days and weeks, as injuries also pile up. In addition to that, teams will shuffle their depth, getting rid of players who don’t stand a chance of making the team anyway. Auditioning free agents is never a bad idea.
Colts Add Recently Released Viking
Just this week, the Minnesota Vikings added Nick Vannett, a veteran tight end, who’s supposed to strengthen the depth that had taken a hit because of Gavin Bartholomew’s continued absence with a back injury.
To make room for him on the 90-man roster, the franchise parted ways with offensive tackle Marcellus Johnson. The blocker is now headed to Indianapolis, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson on social media: “Colts sign Marcellus Johnson, BJ Mayes, Nate Noel and Nay-Quan Wright, released Tre Herndon; placed Salvon Ahmed and Justin Walley on IR waived-injured Liam Anderson.”
Johnson arrived in the Twin Cities 11 months ago. The Vikings signed him in September of last season. He originally was an undrafted rookie for the New York Giants. The tackle had spent his college career at Eastern Michigan and Missouri, playing in a total of 53 games (45 for Eastern Michigan). The Vikings employed him for the last 11 months.
The Colts played their first preseason game Thursday. Anthony Richardson’s early injury dominated the news. His competition for the starting job, former Vikings Daniel Jones, got plenty of reps and delivered an unimpressive showing. He’s the more mature quarterback of the two, while Richardson is a more physically gifted player.
Jones is now reunited with a Vikings practice squad colleague.
The Colts noted on their website: “Johnson, 6-4, 307 pounds, has spent time with the Minnesota Vikings (2024-25) and New York Giants (2024). He originally signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. As a rookie, Johnson spent time on the Vikings and Giants practice squads. Collegiately, he played in 54 career games (20 starts) at Missouri (2023) and Eastern Michigan (2018-22). Johnson earned Academic All-MAC honors three times (2019-21). He is the younger brother of current Colts defensive tackle Eric Johnson II.”
The Vikings, meanwhile, have now one less offensive tackle than a week ago, perhaps because Christian Darrisaw is ready to reclaim his role at left tackle after missing over nine months with a torn ACL. Minnesota’s top blocker will be a massive reinforcement for J.J. McCarthy’s offense once he’s entirely back. He has worked in some team drills, but the Vikings take a cautious approach and regularly keep him on the sidelines.
If he’s out, veteran Justin Skule is expected to take his place on the opposite side of Brian O’Neill, with Walter Rouse and Logan Brown trying to unseat him, or at least secure a spot on the 53-man roster. In all likelihood, only two of those tackle backups will prevail.
Additionally, the Vikings employ Leroy Watson, who started some games for the Titans in the past. A college tight end with some sweet athletic tools, he is still a raw football player and a project. Matt Nelson was signed recently, but he has reportedly suffered a serious injury. That has not been confirmed by the team, however.
Johnson, 25 years old, will try to make enough noise in camp to stick around either on the Colts’ roster or the practice squad.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.