Minnesota Vikings sign John Wolford

So this week, we knew they’d sign a veteran quarterback to add depth into that room, we just didn’t know what kind of signing it would be. On Wednesday morning, we got our answer when the Vikings announced that they have signed 30-year-old QB John Wolford to the practice squad. Tom Pelissero (NFL Network) had it first.

The Vikings are signing veteran QB John Wolford to the practice squad, per sources.

Wolford was coached by Kevin O’Connell with the Rams and spent training camp this year with KOC protege Grant Udinski in Jacksonville. Some experienced depth behind J.J. McCarthy. pic.twitter.com/ANyEWLE19b

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 29, 2025

I’m going to be honest, Wolford was not on my radar until the signing happened, but as Tom points out, the signing makes a lot of sense, given that John was with Kevin O’Connell with the Rams from 2020-2021.

Who is this guy?

Not only that, but he was most recently with the Jacksonville Jaguars, whose offensive coordinator is former Vikings assistant, Grant Udinski. Nonetheless, the Wolford signing tells us that Minnesota plans to roll with JJ McCarthy as QB1 and Max Brosmer as QB2 for the remainder of the season.

John Wolford hasn’t played a game in the NFL since 2022, when he started three times for the Rams. In his three-year NFL career (all Rams), which includes four starts and seven total appearances, the former Wake Forest standout has completed 61-of-104 passes (58.7%) for 626 yards, 1 touchdown and 5 interceptions.

Then-Rams OC Kevin O’Connell talking about John Wolford ahead of Wolford’s first career start in late-2020.

This move makes sense.

Vikings only had two QBs on the roster, both inexperienced — Wolford is an old-hand in the system who won’t require extra time to get up to speed. https://t.co/Ofve4qog6n pic.twitter.com/JkbDglGb5z

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) October 29, 2025

Related: Polarizing Day for Former MN Vikings Quarterbacks

The Rams clinch a playoff spot with an 18-7 win vs Arizona.

LAR QB John Wolford had 281 total yards and a TD in his NFL debut!

💰LAR -110 💰U42.5#RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/rirWshE4F2

— SportsBettingDime (@SBD) January 4, 2021

Now, we wait for September 8 when the regular season kicks off in the Windy City on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears. Well, not really. While bona fide starters are indeed waiting/preparing for week one, fringe roster and practice squad players are fighting for their jobs everyday.

Because the MN Vikings front office (like most in the NFL) never sleeps. Between the dozen or so non-guaranteed guys on the end of the active bench, plus 16 lightly reserved spots on the practice squad, there are a ton of jobs in Eagan that are never safe.

Especially with GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah constantly monitoring free agency and the trade market in search of any kind of talent upgrade he can inject into TCO Performance Center.

Minnesota Vikings sign veteran NFL safety to practice squad

And on Thursday evening, it appears he did exactly that with the signing of 28-year-old veteran safety, K’Von Wallace, who’s played 71 games in the NFL, including 19 starts between the Seahawks, Cardinals and Titans.

The #Vikings have signed S K'Von Wallace to the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/mKpJdn0ZYX

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 28, 2025

Prior to the signing of Wallace — a former 4th round pick out of Clemson with 5 years of NFL experience — the Vikings practice squad was built almost exclusively of young, unproven talent.

Now, with both Fabian Moreau and Wallace in the building, Minnesota coaches and executives feel much better about their secondary depth, a stubbornness that has left fans and media alike scratching their heads.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Name 2025 Team Captains

But because of depth pieces like Moreau — who played 104 snaps in five games last season for the Vikings — and now K’Von Wallace, Kwesi continues to dismiss the notion that Minnesota’s secondary needs another major contributor.

In fact, he doubled down on Thursday afternoon, during a press conference he held in Eagan with head coach Kevin O’Connell, in which he verbally waived off a question regarding lack of depth in the CB room by mentioning Fabian Moreau signing with the practice squad.

On Thursday, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was asked about his team’s plan for the defensive backfield. He didn’t hint at any significant changes on the horizon. He did, however, cite the practice-squad addition of veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau as a move to provide depth.

“We were able to bring back Fabian, who we view as an NFL-caliber guy,” Adofo-Mensah said. “He can play a lot of snaps for us.”

The Athletic

What to expect from new safety K’Von Wallace

A couple hours after Kwesi and KOC’s presser, the MN Vikings signed K’Von Wallace to the practice squad. At first glance, it’s possible Wallace could represent an even more impactful presence in Minnesota’s secondary, than Fabian Moreau, even though he plays a position (safety) that, at least on paper, appears more set in stone.

Not only has Wallace started more games, over the course of his career, than Moreau; but the former Clemson Tiger is three years younger than his new teammate, with 64 more games of NFL experience. His 19 starts are also 19 more than Moreau has ever seen during his 8 years in the league.

K'Von Wallace gives his offense the ball back @KVonWallace

📺: #CINvsAZ on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/LxW25sxPWA pic.twitter.com/2LLBDLOTch

— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2023

Related: Superstar Defender Traded to Vikings Arch Rival

Plus, Harrison Smith has yet to return to Minnesota Vikings practice, since vacating the facilities back on August 11 due to a mysterious illness that has now kept him out of TCO Performance Center for 2.5 weeks.

Could the K’Von Wallace signing be the Vikings foreshadowing bad news for Smith’s week one availability? Time will tell.

That’s what happens every year, as NFL front offices attempt to predict which of their depth players they can clear waivers and be snuck onto a practice squad vs those who will be claimed by opponents, for their 53-man roster.

And that brings us to Wednesday, where hundreds of NFL players are currently traveling through the waiver market. A few of the players who were cut yesterday have found their way to the MN Vikings practice squad already, and more names will continue to trickle in, as the day goes by.

Minnesota Vikings practice squad additions – 2025

Every NFL team is allotted 16 practice squad spots, along with one international exemption, which Minnesota plans to use on Australian punter, Oscar Chapman. Here are the players who have reportedly cleared waivers and plan to sign on the Vikings practice squad. As more names come out, they will be added.

It’s a bit surprising that Gabe Murphy cleared waivers, but the fact he did allows insight into why they decided to cut him on Tuesday. The preseason standout saw lots of reps with the first team during training camp, and until the past 48 hours — seemed like a lock to make the final roster. Now, we know why he didn’t

Taki Taimani clearing waivers is a bit surprising too. Like Murphy, he has already logged NFL snaps, during his UDFA rookie season. The Minnesota Vikings were high on him, coming into camp, but the additions of Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen during the offseason, made him expendable.

Nonetheless, Brian Flores & the defensive coaching staff has to be pretty happy they’re getting all three of Murphy, Vaughn and Taimani back at TCO Performance Center.

Minnesota Vikings cut veterans Myles Gaskin and Jake McQuaide

Instead, all we saw from the Vikings this afternoon was movement on the practice squad. After the signing of Daniel Jones, and what appears to be the imminent activation of 37-year-old Pro Bowl long-snapper Andrew DePaola, Minnesota released veteran running back Myles Gaskin and waived replacement long snapper Jake McQuaide from the team’s practice squad.

The #Vikings have waived LS Jake McQuaide and released RB Myles Gaskin from the practice squad.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 3, 2024

Myles Gaskin as active for five Minnesota Vikings games this season, but only saw the field for six total snaps on offense. In those very limited snaps, the 27-year old former 7th round pick got just three carries (-1 yard rushing). He also caught one pass for 11 yards.

Related: Where Will John Parker Romo Land When He is Kicked to the Curb by Vikings?

Most of Gaskin’s time on the field in purple came on special teams, where he totaled 85 snaps, mixed between both punt and field goal coverage/return. The longtime Miami Dolphin, who was drafted out of Washington in 2019 did not record a tackle, according to PFF, where he carried a 59.8 special teams grade.

Andrew DePaola likely to be active vs Atlanta Falcons

Jake McQuaide ‘waives’ goodbye, after four games with the Minnesota Vikings. The 12-year NFL veteran snappped the ball 33 times, and never stood out for causing a special teams mess. His 48.8 PFF grade, however, was his lowest since 2015. With McQuaide’s release, the assumption is that Andrew DePaola will be active on Sunday vs the Atlanta Falcons.

Aaron Jones, TJ Hockenson and Dalton Risner were all questionable entering the weekend. And while neither Hock or Risner are mandated to come off the PUP list today, both guys made it clear earlier in the week that they thought it was possible.

Minnesota Vikings rule TJ Hockenson, Dalton Risner both OUT

But it didn’t happen. On Saturday afternoon, both Risner and Hockenson were ruled OUT for Sunday’s noon contest vs the Lions. Robert Tonyan has been signed to the roster, to add tight end depth vs TJ’s old team.

Related: Friday Minnesota Vikings Injury Report: Who’s In and Who’s Out vs Lions?

Meanwhile, Jones went from ‘oh god, how long is he going to be out’ just a few days ago, to a guy who is all set to be active and in the starting lineup tomorrow. And all of this coming off of a bye week. In other moves, the Vikings waived wide receiver Trishton Jackson and elevated two players off the practice squad.

Jalen Redmond, Bo Richter called up off the practice squad vs the Detroit Lions

One of those practice squad call-ups is DL Jalen Redmond, who was waived and then signed back to the practice squad earlier this week. EDGE Bo Richter, who has been a regular practice squad elevation over the first five games, will also be active.

The #Vikings have announced the following roster moves

– Signed TE Robert Tonyan to the 53-man roster

– Waived WR Trishton Jackson

– Elevated DL Jalen Redmond and OLB Bo Richter to the active roster for tomorrow's game

– Downgraded TE T.J. Hockenson and G Dalton Risner to OUT pic.twitter.com/BfPeWTW6uz

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 19, 2024

TJ Hockenson’s new status for Sunday is not a surprise. Local and national insiders have both had him all but ruled out this entire week. Again, this all points to injury report gamesmanship, which the NFL is trying to get rid of.

Lots of things to watch after today’s roster moves

Clearly, the Minnesota Vikings knew that TJ Hockenson wasn’t going to play vs the Lions. Somebody was feeding that information to every insider who hit the pager button. Yet, he was listed all week as “limited” in practice and then hit the final Friday injury report as “Questionable”.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings EDGE Welcomes Revenge Factor NFC North Trade Rumors

What’s also worth monitoring is the situation with Dalton Risner. Earlier this week, the 29-year-old former Bronco made it very clear that he was 100% healthy and ready to go. Not only that, but he stated multiple times while interviewing with media that he’s been ready to go.

"I'm comfortable at right and left, whatever guard position it is, truly whatever position they want me to play I'm ready to go."

– #Vikings Guard Dalton Risner

📽️ @Vikings pic.twitter.com/xyyRdtALHa

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) October 15, 2024

It almost sounded like he was trying to secretly report a hostage situation. Yet, when today’s status report dropped… Risner was listed as OUT. Why?

That’s something we will have to wait to get the answer on, but if Dalton Risner isn’t injured anymore then why isn’t he being activated. There’s no doubt he has to be unhappy with today’s roster announcement. And don’t forget… the trade deadline is just a few weeks away.

But this weekend, Tonyan was already on the active roster and the Vikings are elevating RB Myles Gaskin and S Bobby McCain over Richter. Gaskin was recently waived from the 53-man roster, and replaced by Tonyan.

Minnesota Vikings elevate Myles Gaskin and Bobby McCain from practice squad

So the running back and tight end have essentially swapped spots on the active game day roster, but both have had active statuses the last three weeks. In fact, Gaskin has found his way to the game day roster for every Minnesota Vikings game of the season

The #Vikings have elevated RB Myles Gaskin and S Bobby McCain to the active roster for tomorrow’s game. pic.twitter.com/AMGDKDbJRf

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 5, 2024

This isn’t Bobby McCain’s first Sunday activation of the season either. He was elevated from the practice squad for week one vs the New York Giants, alongside Gaskin. That’s right, this is the second time this same Minnesota Vikings duo has been elevated together, so far this season

Related: Local Beat Writer Predictions: Jets vs. Vikings

While Gaskin and McCain have each seen regular season action in 2024, neither guy has been involved much, outside of special teams. And even those appearances have been few and far between.

What PFF grades and snap counts say about Gaskin and McCain this season

According to PFF, Myles Gaskin has 20 special teams snaps (59.1 grade) under his belt so far this season. 14 of them have been as a kick returner. Compare that with just one offensive snap, a -3 yard carry in week one vs the Giants.

Related: 4 Stats to Know for Jets vs Vikings Matchup in London, Analyzing Impact

That same week, Bobby McCain got 12 special team snaps (61.6 grade). He also got three snaps on defense. Unfortunately for him, he had to wait three weeks to get another elevation. But now, in week 5 all the way across the pond, he’ll get another opportunity to make an impact.

Myles Gaskin is back for the Minnesota Vikings, Jonah Williams joins him

Just like last week, Gaskin is one of two players being elevated from Minnesota’s practice squad. Last week, it was safety Bobby McCain who joined him. This time around, it will be defensive lineman Jonah Williams.

The #Vikings have elevated RB Myles Gaskin and DL Jonah Williams to the active roster for tomorrow's game.

📰: https://t.co/j6SSJeDxYH pic.twitter.com/sqfPVvooep

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 14, 2024

After being activated last week, Gaskin served as the third running back, behind both Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler. He ended up with one touch, on offense, in a 28-6 route of the New York Giants. His lone rushing attempt went for negative three yards…

Related: Latest Minnesota Vikings Injury Update Brings Mostly Good News

In total, Gaskin’s presence was more felt on special teams. He played just two offenses snaps while getting in for five on special teams. There were rumbling about the former Dolphins running back working as a kick returner for the Vikings. Minnesota jettisoned Kene Nwangwu when rosters were trimmed down.

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

McCain played three defensive snaps, after getting the call-up in week one. He give up a reception, and 12 yards on special teams. Jonah Williams signed as a free agent, in the offseason, and will be active for the first time.

The former Rams edge rusher started 16 of 17 games last year for Los Angeles. He recorded a pair of sacks and had four quarterback hits. The edge position stood out last week between Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. Williams could rotate in to give the group a blow.

Related: How Do the Minnesota Vikings Beat the San Francisco 49ers?

Related: Kirk Cousins Sidesteps Question About Waiving No-Trade Clause

N’Keal Harry, Trishton Jackson elevated from practice squad

Replacing JJ and Mullins on the 53-man roster are (WR) N’Keal Harry and (WR) Trishton Jackson, who were both elevated from practice squad. (RB/KR) Kene Nwangwu has also been designated to return from IR.

The #Vikings have signed WR Dan Chisena, TE Troy Fumagalli and QB Sean Mannion to the practice squad.

RB Kene Nwangwu has been designated for return; returned to practice. pic.twitter.com/1YHnzJbE0m

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 11, 2023

Minnesota Vikings sign Sean Mannion and Dan Chisena to practice squad

The new practice squad QB is 31-year-old Sean Mannion, who backed-up Kirk Cousins for much of the three seasons between 2019 and 2022. Kevin O’Connell said, in his press conference, that rookie quarterback, Jaren Hall, will serve as Cousins’ QB2 on Sunday vs the Chicago Bears, but we will see how long that lasts.

Related: With Justin Jefferson Out, Who Will Step Up for Vikings… and Who Won’t?

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also signed former Vikings special teamer and depth WR, Dan Chisena, to a practice squad contract. The 26-year-old Chisena appeared in double-digit games during both the Vikings’ 2020 and 2021 campaigns, but only got into 2 games in 2022. He was then released at the end of last season.

The final practice squad addition on the day was (TE) Troy Fumagalli, a 28-year-old former Wisconsin Badger who played 19 games between 2019 and 2020 with the Denver Broncos.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The #Vikings are signing rookie QB Tanner Morgan to the practice squad, per source. A homecoming for the former University of Minnesota standout.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 5, 2023

Tanner Morgan played for the Minnnesota Gophers from 2018 to 2022 and ranks 2nd all time in both passing yards (9,469) and passing touchdowns (65), behind only Adam Weber (2007-2010) in both categories.

Morgan went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, but signed for and played with the Pittsburgh Steelers during training camp and preseason, before being cut. This will be Tanner’s second shot in the NFL. We’ll see if he can stick.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan