Josh Oliver handled the bulk of the tight end duties, but Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse found their opportunities as well. Muse was cut later in the season, but now he could wind up winning a Super Bowl ring.

Nick Muse joins Eagles after season with Minnesota Vikings

Muse is a 26-year-old that was taken as a seventh-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has spent the past three seasons in Minnesota, but never rose to a prominent role. Muse played in just four games this season before being cut. Now the Philadelphia Eagles are giving him a look.

We have signed TE Nick Muse and OL Cameron Erving to the Practice Squad, opened the practice window for WR Britain Covey, and have released DE KJ Henry from the Practice Squad. pic.twitter.com/MoyxJBnR9v

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 22, 2025

The Eagles won a snowy game against the Los Angeles Rams last weekend in the divisional round. They now face the Washington Commanders with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Muse hasn’t been elevated to the active roster, but brings a veteran presence to the practice squad.

Muse has played in 16 games during his professional career. He has caught his only target, in 2023, for a 22-yard reception. Minnesota utilized him much more heavily as a special teams talent.

Related: Alcohol Possibly Involved in Death of Vikings CB Khyree Jackson; More Info Reportedly Coming Soon…

It remains to be seen what the Eagles are looking for here. Dallas Goedert heads up the tight end room for Nick Sirianni’s squad, and they are three-deep at the position. It’s possible, and probably likely, that Muse never graduates from the practice squad.

Related: Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Wins First Coach of the Year Honor

Minnesota last played Washington during the 2022 season. It resulted in a 20-17 win amidst the first season with Kevin O’Connell as the head coach of the Vikings. Maybe Muse translates that into a ring with his new team.

There has been a lot of construction going on with the roster, the last couple days. On Tuesday, we saw them place ILB Ivan Pace Jr. on Injured Reserve. They also signed inside linebacker Jamin Davis, off the Green Bay Packers practice squad, and activated UDFA outside linebacker Gabe Murphy off of IR.

Minnesota Vikings roster construction continued on Wednesday

Wednesday was more of the same… but different. After days of rumors connecting Daniel Jones to the Minnesota Vikings, it was announced this morning that he was indeed signing with the purple. This afternoon, more roster moves were announced. One day after being activated to the 53-man, Gabe Murphy was waived.

As long as he isn’t claimed, it’s expected that the UDFA out of UCLA will land on the Vikings’ practice squad. Taking his place on the active roster is long-snapper, Jake McQuaide. Tight end Nick Muse was signed to the practice squad, after he was activated to the 53-man on November 23, then waived on November 25.

The #Vikings have announced the following roster moves

– Signed LS Jake McQuaide to the 53-man roster

– Signed TE Nick Muse to the practice squad

– Waived OLB Gabriel Murphy pic.twitter.com/ZTCvpiWehT

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 27, 2024

Daniel Jones is not expected to arrive in Eagan, until Friday, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell. That means we’ll probably see him added to the practice squad roster, at that time. That’s probably around the same time that Murphy will join the practice squad, as well.

Related: Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell Gives Update on Ivan Pace Jr Injury Timeline

LS Jake McQuaide was signed a few weeks ago, after Pro Bowl long-snapper Andrew DePaola was placed on injured reserve. He and replacement kicker John Parker Romo have played together in the past. The two have helped combine for 8-of-8 on field goal tries, since putting on a Minnesota Vikings uniform in week 10.

Nick Muse back for the Minnesota Vikings

With Oliver out, the only other tight end on the Minnesota Vikings depth chart was Johnny Mundt. That changes, with 2022 7th round pick Nick Muse returning to the active roster. Muse took only a week of his 21-day practice window, before his activation.

The #Vikings have announced the following roster moves

– Activated TE Nick Muse from IR. Muse will enter tomorrow's game without an injury designation.

– Elevated TE Jake McQuaide to the active roster for tomorrow's game

– Downgraded OLB Gabe Murphy to out

– Waived CB Akayleb… pic.twitter.com/qD6NvCey3o

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 23, 2024

A roster spot was needed for Muse, and Minnesota handled that by waiving former starting cornerback Akayleb Evans. Muse has played in two games this season, but logged just 3% of the offensive snaps. Prior to his injury, The William & Mary alum was relied on much more heavily on special teams.

We’ll see if his role changes, with Oliver out. Muse has just a single reception to his credit, through three seasons. To his credit, it did go for 22 yards and a first down.

Aaron Jones sitting on a big game vs Bears?

The Vikings will have a chance to get their running game going on Sunday. Chicago’s defense is stingy in the secondary, but they can be beat on the ground. Aaron Jones turned in just 39 yards last weekend against the Tennessee Titans, and he looked hurt while doing so.

#Vikings RB Aaron Jones on not scoring a TD in a little over a month:

“I talk to my son about it, I talk to my mom, I talk about it every day… I miss it, I miss the end zone. I will be back soon.”

🎥: @Vikings YouTube pic.twitter.com/nPr0DaEWWY

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) November 22, 2024

The veteran back says he’s in a better place this week, and Minnesota’s offense will benefit should that be true. Oliver is a key blocker on the line, so how Muse or the other tight ends fill that void remains to be seen.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Cut Another 2022 Defensive Back

Kevin O’Connell could feature T.J. Hockenson after the tight end caught just two passes for 13 yards last weekend. It seems unlikely that either Mundt or Muse will eat into his target share like Oliver did.

Nick Muse placed on short-term IR by Minnesota Vikings

Kevin O’Connell currently has three active tight ends on the 53-man roster. Well, at least he did until Nick Muse fractured his hand on Sunday. Now only Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt remain for Minnesota.

Kevin O’Connell said Nick Muse was placed on short-term IR with a fracture in his hand. He still recovered the onside kick with a broken hand. “File that under ‘situational masters/play style,’” O’Connell said.

The #Vikings are putting Myles Gaskin on the active roster.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) September 18, 2024

Muse suffered the fracture Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Trailing 23-17 with seconds ticking away, Kyle Shanahan announced his intention to try an onside kick. New rules stipulate a different set of parameters for the onside kick in 2024. They come alongside the new kickoff rules:

• 4th quarter begins, the team trailing has the opportunity to declare an onside kick to the officials
• Current onside kickoff rules would apply. If onside kick goes beyond the setup zone untouched, kicking team penalized for UNS; return team would start the drive at the A20 yard line

Of course recovering an onside kick is never easy. The Vikings had the benefit of being told it was coming, and Muse was able to hop on it. Despite the pain he was dealing with in his hand, the play sealed a victory for the Vikings.

Related: PFF Falling in Love with Minnesota Vikings After Week 2

Through the first two weeks Muse has played just three offensive snaps while being on the field 19 times for special teams plays.

Myles Gaskin hits the Vikings active roster

The Vikings entered the regular season with just two running backs on the 53-man roster. Aaron Jones came over to be the lead back with Ty Chandler as a high-quality backup. Each of the first two weeks Myles Gaskin was elevated from the practice squad to join them. Now he’s a member of the active roster as well.

Trent Sherfield's blocking at the end of this Myles Gaskin run is a good example of why I think the Vikings keep six wide receivers.

(Nice rep from N'Keal Harry, too). pic.twitter.com/zGXhkctwfk

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 26, 2024

Players are only allowed to be elevated from the practice squad three times before being exposed to waivers. This would have already been Gaskin’s last elevation, so he gets added early instead. Gaskin has just a single carry for negative three yards this year. He has returned a pair of kicks however.

Related: Familiar Running Back in Line to Start for Texans vs Minnesota Vikings

It remains unlikely that Gaskin will see his offensive role expand. He remains available for kickoffs and can contribute on special teams.