Minnesota Vikings Sign Two New Players; Cut Linebacker

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Kevin O'Connell, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The roster shuffle continues for the Minnesota Vikings. They don’t have to cut the roster down to 53 players until August 26th at 3pm central time. That gives them additional flexibility for their final preseason game on Saturday against the Tennessee Titans.

Right now Kevin O’Connell’s team is dealing with a seemingly never ending number of key injuries. Justin Jefferson just returned to practice, but Andrew Van Ginkel and Harrison Smith are remained sidelined. Jalen Nailor is also hurt and Jordan Addison’s suspension will kick in on week one.

Offensive additions force MN Vikings to cut on defense

As the team considers all of its options, and scours the market for depth at multiple positions, moves on the fringes of the roster are only getting started.

Tuesday, we saw some preliminary Minnesota Vikings roster news. Via social media and on their website, the team announced two roster additions on offense, o-lineman Zack Bailey and running back Xazavian Valladay. To make room for these new Vikings, linebacker Max Tooley was waived.

It’s highly unlikely that either of these additions make the 53-man roster. However, both should see real run in a final preseason game that will be largely played by third string talent.

Meet new MN Vikings running back, Xazavian Valladay

It doesn’t appear that the Vikings are set on Ty Chandler as their third running back. While that job is probably Zavier Scott’s, already — if Chandler is indeed on his way out — but there is a lot of room on the MN Vikings practice squad, not to mention other practice squads around the league.

That’s why it wouldn’t surprise me if 3x 1000 yard collegiate back (Arizona State and Wyoming) Xazavian Valladay gets 15-20 carries on Friday. What he does with those carries, and his professional football career, from there is all up to him.

Valladay isn’t a rookie, though. The 2023 UDFA has graced the extended roster of four different teams, prior to arriving in Minnesota. He spent most of last season on the New Orleans Saints practice squad last season.

Meet new Vikings O-lineman, Zack Bailey

Zack Bailey joins an offensive line that is now among the most expensive in the NFL. The Vikings revamped the interior of the group this offseason in order to better protect its most important asset, 2024 No. 10 overall pick, J.J. McCarthy, as well as open up wider holes for a revamped running game.

This isn’t Bailey’s first stop in Minnesota. He was on the Vikings’ practice squad in 2020, and remained on the roster for part of the 2021 offseason. Unlike Bailey, Valladay has an opportunity to make some real noise in the final preseason game.

Related: Vikings Set Up for Draft Upgrade After QB Rental Wins Starting Job

It was always going to be tough for a guy like Tooley to crack a role on Brian Flores’ defense. The front seven has been called the best in the league and is living up to the hype. Former first round pick Dallas Turner is even fighting for linebacker reps due to the quality at the top.

The Vikings kick off the regular season on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. They’ll be under the lights at Soldier Field on September 8.

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