Minnesota Vikings Sign Additional Tackle to Practice Squad; Downgrade Taki Taimani

Monday night sees the Minnesota Vikings put their season on the line. After a road loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 18, it’s a road game against the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card round. Although the roster is relatively healthy, the organization just made a move.

Late roster shuffling for Minnesota Vikings

All season the interior defensive linemen for the Minnesota Vikings have left something to be desired. The offensive line fails to get push and has struggled once closer to the goal line. The defensive line needs a run stuffing tackle. Undrafted tackle Taki Taimani has flashed at times, but was downgraded to out before the Rams contest.

The #Vikings have signed T Marcellus Johnson to the practice squad.

DL Taki Taimani has been downgraded to OUT and remains in his 21-day practice window.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 13, 2025

Taimani has played seven games for the Minnesota Vikings this season but is currently on injured reserve with a designation to return. He has three tackles while playing 70 defensive snaps and contributing on special teams for 34 plays.

Taki Taimani does a great job of splitting the double team here for the TFL.

Redmond beats one to get in the backfield as well. pic.twitter.com/G9Co0gu37r

— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) August 20, 2024

Brian Flores won’t have Taimani to rotate in during the wild card round. So tckle Marcellus Johnson joins the practice squad as a corresponding move. The 24-year-old went undrafted out of Missouri and has yet to see action in an NFL game.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Refuses to Reveal Which Vikings QBs Will be Active vs Rams

The only Minnesota Vikings consistent contributor out of action against the Rams is edge rusher Patrick Jones. After a dirty hit from since eliminated Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft, Jones was guaranteed to miss some time.

Minnesota is looking for a road win against Los Angeles, though the game is being played in Glendale, Arizona. A win would send them to Philadelphia for a showdown with the Eagles.

Related: Report: Harrison Smith Planning to Retire; Vikings to Re-Sign Young Talented DBs