Inside The Vikings

Live updates: Vikings roster cuts, reports and rumors

The first wave of cuts was announced Monday morning.

Joe Nelson

Aug 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back DeWayne McBride (27) is brought down by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Ben VanSumeren (57) and defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (59) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back DeWayne McBride (27) is brought down by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Ben VanSumeren (57) and defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (59) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports / Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports
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The Minnesota Vikings have to finalize the 53-man roster by 3 p.m. CT Tuesday. Some cuts have already been announced by the Vikings and more are on the way. Let's dive into the latest facts, reports and rumors...

3:02 p.m. — Taimani makes the 53

Another undrafted rookie, DT Taki Taimani from Oregon, has made the Vikings' 53-man roster, per Alec Lewis. He was Minnesota's highest-graded player (PFF) in preseason action.

2:37 p.m. — McGlothern has made the 53

Vikings undrafted rookie cornerback Dwight McGlothern has made the initial 53-man roster, according to Alec Lewis. The former LSU and Arkansas standout had a great training camp.

1:15 p.m. — Duke Shelley released

Duke Shelley, the 5'8" cornerback and fan favorite from the 2022 season, has been released, per Aaron Wilson. The Vikings signed the sixth-year veteran early in training camp after Mekhi Blackmon's injury.

1:00 p.m. — Rookie LB Dallas Gant waived

Undrafted rookie linebacker Dallas Gant had a strong preseason for the Vikings, but he's getting waived today nonetheless, per Darren Wolfson. It'll be interesting to see what happens with Brian Asamoah II.

11:15 a.m. — Richter and Robinson waived

The Vikings are waiving OLB Bo Richter and G Tyrese Robinson, according to Aaron Wilson. They'll likely hope to get both onto the practice squad. Richter was an early star in preseason action and Robinson played well at both guard spots this month.

11:00 a.m. — Vikings releasing James Lynch, Bobby McCain

The Vikings are releasing DT James Lynch and veteran DB Bobby McCain, per reports. Lynch getting cut was expected (he could wind up back on the practice squad), but McCain is a mild surprise given his familiarity with Brian Flores.

10:30 a.m. — A mild surprise: Vikings moving on from Nwangwu

The Vikings are moving on from running back and kick returner Kene Nwangwu, according to Tom Pelissero. That's a surprise! Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler are now the only RBs on the roster. Nwangwu was effective in the preseason, too. This one was unexpected.

10:00 a.m. — OLB Andre Carter II will be waived

The Vikings are waiving second-year edge rusher Andre Carter II, who had two sacks in the preseason finale. They'll presumably try to get the Army product through to their practice squad. Mike Garafolo was on it.

9:26 a.m. — Vikings releasing Gaskin

As anticipated, the Vikings are releasing veteran running back Myles Gaskin (per Adam Schefter). He had 128 rushing yards in the preseason and could be brought back to the practice squad if he doesn't sign elsewhere.

8:55 a.m. — 2023 fifth-rounder Jaquelin Roy will be among today's cuts

The Vikings took Jaquelin Roy, a defensive tackle out of LSU, in the fifth round last year. He'll be among their cuts today after playing sparingly as a rookie (95) snaps and getting passed up on this year's depth chart by players like Levi Drake Rodriguez and Jonah Williams. Tom Pelissero is on it.

8:10 a.m. — Hockenson to stay on PUP list, Murphy to IR

NFL insiders are reporting that tight end T.J. Hockenson will start the season on the PUP list, which means he'll miss the first four weeks before he's eligible to return in Week 5 against the Jets. But with Minnesota's bye arriving in Week 6, a return in Week 7 might make the most sense.

Undrafted rookie edge rusher Gabriel Murphy will begin the season short-term injured reserve, so he'll also miss the first four weeks of the season.

Monday

2:05 p.m. — Dalton Risner starting the season on IR

Risner will begin the season on injured reserve, which means he's out at least the first four weeks of the regular season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. If the Vikings put tight end T.J. Hockenson on injured reserve to start the season, that'll fill both IR spots and likely mean undrafted free agent Gabriel Murphy will be a roster cut casualty.

12:15 p.m. — NFL rule makes Jaren Hall a roster lock

Jaren Hall is going to make the team. It's a lock now that Tom Pelissero has reported tha tthe league has informed teams that the emergency third quarterback rule must be on the 53-man roster and cannot simply be elevated from the practice squad. It's good news for Hall and bad news for someone else who might've otherwise made the team.

10:50 a.m. — Vikings announce first wave of roster cuts

The first line of cuts has been announce and it includes QB Matt Corral, RB DeWayne McBride, TE Sammis Reyes, RB Mo Ibrahim, CB Jaylin Williams, TE Neal Johnson, WR Justin Hall, OLB Owen Porter, OL Chuck Filiago, OL Doug Nester, OL Matt Cindric, OL Spencer Rolland and DL Tyler Manoa. Minnesota also terminated the contract of CB A.J. Green III.

Those 14 bring the roster from 91 down to 77 players. That leaves 24 big decisions to come.

Brian Asamoah, Akayleb Evans real trade candidates?

Its probably just logic talking at this point, but Alec Lewis of The Athletic mentioned in his 53-man roster prediction that Minnesota could "try to trade" linebacker Brian Asamoah before the deadline. He also says cornerback Akayleb Evans is a logical trade candidate.

Akayleb Evans could get cut?

The cornerback room in Minnesota seems to be in constant flux, and after playing 15 snaps in the preseason finale against the Eagles he might be a surprise cut candidate. That's what Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press was thinking during a postgame podcast with Coller.

“The only other thing I thought that was a little bit interesting was that Akayleb Evans played kind of a lot. Are we sure he's not like a surprise cut candidate?" Mizutani speculated.

Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaq Griffin are locks to make the team at cornerback. Depth corners who could be on the bubble include Duke Shelley, Fabian Moreau, Evans, Dwight McGlothern, A.J. Green III and Nahshon Wright. Jay Ward has also transitioned to cornerback though his position flexibility might help him make the 53-man roster.

Is it possible that McGlothern, who is a undrafted rookie, was so good during camp and the preseason that he makes the team over Evans?

Lewis Cine a prime trade candidate

Could the 2022 first-round pick be traded before Tuesday's deadline? ESPN's Bill Barnwell thinks he's a logical candidate to get a fresh start somewhere else.

"At this point, a change of scenery would benefit Cine, who doesn't seem likely to earn meaningful snaps in Brian Flores' defense," writes Barnwell. "It would be a surprise if any team was willing to pay even the $4 million in guarantees left on his contract, so the Vikings might need to eat some money to acquire a draft pick for him. Given Cine's injury history, a trade might not be possible."

7 locks on the offensive line?

Alec Lewis of The Athletic thinks there are seven locks on the offensive line. The seven in Lewis's eyes are Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O'Neill, David Quessenberry and rookie tackle Walter Rouse. The question will be how many linemen the Vikings keep, with most pundits predicting them to go with nine or 10.

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

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