The Minnesota Vikings made a surprising roster move on Tuesday afternoon, waiving defensive end Everson Griffen one week after his return to the team.
Griffen signed a one-year deal with the Vikings on Aug. 23 after spending last year with the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys. While Griffen’s homecoming may appear to be short-lived, it could be part of a plan to bring him back later this season.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reports that the Vikings waived Griffen as a “procedural move” ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to cut down to 53 players and the team wants to bring him back.
I'm hearing that the Vikings want and expect to bring Everson Griffen back, per sources, so waiving him sounds like its a procedural move when it's all said and done. Remember – "final 53" today no such thing. There's gonna be changes when they compiled PSQ, see who gets claimed
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 31, 2021
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero also reports that Griffen wants to finish his career in Minnesota and he could be brought back as soon as this week.
The #Vikings' cuts included DE Everson Griffen, who just re-signed days ago, but don't be surprised if he's back later in the week. Griffen wants to finish his career in Minnesota and many teams are releasing veterans to free up roster spots for a day or two.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 31, 2021
Griffen played in the Vikings’ preseason finale against Kansas City last Friday and looked like himself recording a sack in the second quarter. With 74.5 sacks in a Vikings uniform, Griffen was relied upon to be the Vikings’ pass-rusher on third downs to supplement D.J. Wonnum and Stephen Weatherly.
It appears that will still be the plan but the Vikings will wait to see which players are available after final cutdowns before potentially bringing him back to the team.
