Trade Rumors, Confusion Headline Vikings 53-Man Roster Cuts on Deadline Day

The Minnesota Vikings are whittling their roster down to the maximum 53 players allowed by the NFL early this week and cuts continue to trickle out through Tuesday, leading up to the deadline at 3 PM CT. Monday’s cuts went mostly as expected but there have been some twists and turns today.

Young hopefuls — like RB DeWayne McBride WR Trishton Jackson, OLB Luiji Vilain and (former Gopher) Esezi Otomewo — are three of the more notable roster casualties but none of them were roster locks. The Vikings plan to bring the former two names back as practice squad players. Veteran cuts on Monday evening included defensive tackles Ross Blacklock and Sheldon Day.

Trade Rumors and Cut Confusion

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah may try to clear a roster spot by trading former 1st round wide receiver, Jalen Reagor, too, and the Vikings, per Adam Schefter (ESPN) have multiple interested teams.

But Tuesday’s roster news was headlined by confusion, when it was initially reported that preseason standout and special teams favorite, (CB) Najee Thompson, was cut. About 10 minutes later, while hardcore Vikings Twitter was still grieving over Thompson’s supposed release, insiders retracted their initial report and named Najee to the 53-man roster.

The #Vikings waived LB Luiji Vilain, per source.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 29, 2023

Clearing up some miscommunication: The #Vikings have NOT waived CB Najee Thompson. The impressive undrafted rookie from Georgia Southern remains on the roster.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 29, 2023

Final Vikings 53-man roster

Here is the Minnesota Vikings’ updated 53-man roster, including cuts from Tuesday (strikethrough). They kept (3) quarterbacks, (3) running backs, (1) fullback, (6) wide receivers, (4) tight ends, (8) offensive linemen, (5) defensive linemen, (5) outside linebackers, (4) inside linebackers, (5) cornerbacks, (6) safeties, (1) kicker, (1) punter and (1) long-snapper.

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

Find everything you need to know about the 2023 Minnesota Viking season HERE.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan