Minnesota Vikings Claim New Offensive Lineman

Now that they’ve played one exhibition game, the Minnesota Vikings are a bit closer to paring their roster down from 90 players to the final 53-man. While one preseason game may not reveal a lot of long-term answers, the Vikings’ front office has already been forced into free agency action on the fringes.

Some roster moves this week will be the result of serious injuries suffered during the Vikings’ first preseason game, a 20-10 win over the Houston Texans. We’re still waiting to learn more about the severity of WR Rondale Moore’s injury, but all reports suggest it’s “significant.”

Minnesota Vikings place Matt Nelson on IR, claim Michael Gonzalez

Unfortunately, Moore wasn’t the only new Viking to go down with an injury on Saturday afternoon. Offensive tackle Matt Nelson, who Minnesota just signed to a training camp contract in the last two weeks, has been placed on injured reserve with a torn bicep. To pour salt on the wound, iOL Zeke Correll suffered a fractured ankle during the game.

Because Nelson is going on IR during training camp, he is not eligible to return this season. With the loss of two depth offensive lineman, MN Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah moved quickly to sign another offensive lineman, in recently waived Atlanta Falcon, Michael Gonzalez.

The #Vikings have claimed G Michael Gonzalez via waivers and have placed T Matt Nelson on IR. https://t.co/L7s7HruQUi pic.twitter.com/4WwkvLdsNx

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 11, 2025

Gonzalez is an undrafted rookie free agent who appeared in 51 games (32 starts) for Louisville during his college career. As a Cardinal in 2024, the now 22-year-old posted a 65.9 offensive grade.

Throughout his collegiate career, Michael Gonzalez excelled in pass pro, grading out at a 72.6 in 2024, according to PFF. He also posted a 77.9 pass block grade in 2023 and a 76.0 his sophomore season, in 2022. Atlanta was also having Gonzalez take some reps at center.

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For those who aren’t aware, the Vikings have been experiencing some issues at that position, behind newly acquired Ryan Kelly. It’s possible that positional flexibility helped push Kwesi to make the move.

While the Vikings don’t know what they have in the undrafted rookie quite yet, his arrival makes sense — not just due to Nelson’s IR designation, but due to during Saturday’s win.