Vikings Roster Cuts Tracker
Josh Frey
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The deadline for roster cuts has officially arrived. By 3 PM CST today, the Minnesota Vikings must bring their roster down to 53 players. So yeah, it’s going to be a busy day for the Vikings organization and news outlets. Today, PurplePTSD brings you this year’s edition of the roster tracker. Any news today involving signings, cuts, maybe even trades(?), will be brought to you through this article.
Before we officially hop into the news, what are we watching for here on PurplePTSD? Over the past few weeks, a number of articles have been posted speculating on what the final Vikings roster will look like following the 53-man deadline. Two such articles are listed below, and you can check them out before they officially become irrelevant:
Does Dede Deserve a Roster Spot?
I think I can speak for our managing editor, Kyle Joudry, when I say that there are three main areas of the team we’ll be paying close attention to as cuts are announced: defensive end, wide receiver, and tight end. All three of these rooms seem to be overfilled at this point, and it seems inevitable that they will see some trimming down. Depending on how much trimming is done here will have a major effect on other areas of the team. For example, will the Vikings make an effort to carry three QBs? Or is there enough room for A.J. Rose to be a fifth RB? We don’t have the answers to those yet, but in the list of moves below, clues begin to emerge.
Note: Make sure to check back throughout the day to get all the updated news as well as VikingsTerritory for their own coverage!
August 28th
Vikings Cut Three Players
The journey to 53 begins. The Vikings have officially cut ties with RB Ito Smith, C Cohl Cabral, and DT Zeandae Johnson.
August 31st
Chad Beebe Injury
Chad Beebe is expected to undergo surgery on his left foot and will be sidelined for the coming months. This may have an effect on whether or not he is cut later today.
Vikings Make First Move of the Day
The Minnesota Vikings have decided to cut ties with CB Tye Smith.
Vikings Trim Down Depth in the Trenches
The Vikings have made two moves, releasing DL Hercules Mata’afa and OL Kyle Hinton.
Vikings Cuts Enter the LB Room
The Vikings have decided to release LB Tuf Borland. It seems like he is a candidate for the practice squad, though.
Fifth-Round Draft Pick Hits the Waivers
The Vikings have decided to release fifth-round draft selection TE Zach Davidson. He is expected to clear waivers and return to the practice squad.
G Dru Samia Cut
The Vikings have cut offensive lineman Dru Samia with an injury designation.
Kellen Mond Wins QB2 Job
The Vikings have waived Jake Browning, essentially naming Kellen Mond the backup QB to Kirk Cousins. Minnesota hopes to put Browning on the practice squad.
G Dakota Dozier Enters Waivers
The Vikings have decided to release offensive lineman Dakota Dozier. This frees up rookie Wyatt Davis to become second-string guard behind Ezra Cleveland and Oli Udoh.
Vikings Release FB Jake Bargas
Minnesota has cut ties to their backup fullback Jake Bargas. C.J. Ham is now the only FB on the roster, and this ensures the Vikings will look to free agency or trades for another tight end option.
Further Moves Along the O-Line
The Vikings have cut ties with OL Zach Bailey, but they want him back for the practice squad. The O-line seems just about set at this point.
Wide Receiver and Tight End Moves
The Vikings have released WRs Whop Philyor and Myron Mitchell as well as TE Shane Zylstra. All three appear to be practice squad candidates. The Vikings WR room is now down to six, assuming that Chad Beebe will be cut. The TE room sits at three with Irv Smith Jr. presumably headed to IR.
Vikings Find Their TE Solution
The Minnesota Vikings have officially made a trade with the New York Jets bringing TE Chris Herndon to Minnesota in exchange for draft compensation. The move comes at the perfect time with the unknown injury status of budding star Irv Smith Jr. For more on this trade, check out this article written here on PurplePTSD by managing editor, Kyle Joudry.
Vikings Secondary Begins to Take Shape
Minnesota has now begun making moves in one of the final grey areas of this roster: the secondary. The Vikings have released CB Parry Nickerson, who is expected to be a practice squad candidate.
Dan Chisena to Make 53-Man Roster
Per Chris Tomasson, WR and return specialist Dan Chisena will in fact make the final Vikings roster. Going into today this would have been a surprise, but following an injury to Chad Beene, it seems to have opened up a spot.
https://twitter.com/christomasson/status/1432798033876602881?s=20
Nate Stanley Waived
The final QB question has been answered, and Nate Stanley has been waived with an injury designation. This leaves the Vikings with just two QBs on the roster: Kirk Cousins and Kellen Mond.
https://twitter.com/christomasson/status/1432798122598666249?s=20
Kene Nwangwu Likely Headed to IR
Rookie RB Kene Nwangwu reportedly will remain on the roster today, with an injury designation placing him on injured reserve tomorrow. This also opens up the possibility that A.J. Rose Jr. makes the final team.
RB Room Thins Out
Nevermind. The Vikings have cut A.J. Rose Jr. The hope is that they can bring him back to the practice squad, but after an impressive preseason, there’s a chance he gets picked up off waivers.