The Vikings were filled with surprising moves on Saturday as they trimmed their roster to 53 players, with a trio of big names not making the cut.
Veteran defensive end Brian Robison was released, as was wide receiver Kendall Wright. And perhaps the biggest shock of the day was cornerback Terence Newman announcing his retirement.
But there’s a kicker: Newman is staying with the Vikings as a member of the coaching staff. Details about what his role will be are unknown, but the soon-to-be 40-year-old veteran is sticking with the purple and gold.
Robison, Wright and Newman were among the moves that helped the Vikings cut the roster down to 53 players. The other cuts included:
- G Josh Andrews (Injured)
- WR Jeff Badet
- WR Chad Beebe
- TE Blake Bell
- RB Mack Brown (Injured)
- LB Reshard Cliett
- DT Curtis Cothran
- LB Garret Dooley
- C Cornelius Edison
- G Colby Gossett
- TE Tyler Hoppes
- CB Craig James (Injured)
- WR Tavarres King (Injured)
- S Tray Matthews (Injured)
- T Storm Norton
- DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
- CB Horace Richardson (Injured)
- S Jack Tocho
- DE Jonathan Wynn
- DL Brian Robison
Linebacker Kentrell Brothers made the team but on the reserve/suspended list. He’ll be eligible to return to the 53-man roster after serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
The Vikings also activated center Pat Elflein from the physically unable to perform list, although it’s not expected that he’ll play until Week 2 of the regular season.
Here’s the 53-man roster, position-by-position.
QBs (3)
Kirk Cousins
Trevor Siemian
Kyle Sloter
RBs (5)
Mike Boone
Dalvin Cook
C.J. Ham
Latavius Murray
Roc Thomas
WRs (5)
Stacy Coley
Stefon Diggs
Adam Thielen
Laquon Treadwell
Brandon Zylstra
TEs (3)
Tyler Conklin
David Morgan
Kyle Rudolph
OL (9)
Aviante Collins
Tom Compton
Pat Elflein
Rashod Hill
Danny Isidora
Brett Jones
Riley Reiff
Brian O’Neill
Mike Remmers
DL (9)
Tashawn Bower
Everson Griffen
Jalyn Holmes
Danielle Hunter
Jaleel Johnson
Linval Joseph
David Parry
Sheldon Richardson
Stephen Weatherly
LB (5)
Anthony Barr
Devante Downs
Ben Gedeon
Eric Kendricks
Eric Wilson
CB (6)
Mackensie Alexander
Mike Hughes
Xavier Rhodes
Marcus Sherels
Trae Waynes
Holton Hill
S (5)
Anthony Harris
George Iloka
Jayron Kearse
Andrew Sendejo
Harrison Smith
Specialists (3)
Daniel Carlson – K
Kevin McDermott – LS
Ryan Quigley – P
