Devin Neal, the former Saints running back, signed a contract with Minnesota this Tuesday afternoon, a move that flew under the radar as the Vikings made a flurry of other roster adjustments. This signing might be the most impactful of the bunch, with Minnesota desperately searching for reliable depth in their backfield.
The Run Game Gets a Much-Needed Spark?
The Vikings’ running back room has been a mess, and Devin Neal, a 23-year-old fifth-round pick from last year, could be exactly what they need. As a rookie, he put up 310 total yards and two touchdowns, showing flashes as a possible Alvin Kamara replacement in New Orleans. Neal played in ten games last season, rushing for 206 yards on 57 carries with two scores, plus snagging 17 receptions for another 104 yards. Neal was a legit dual-threat back at Kansas, putting up over a thousand rushing yards for three straight seasons from 2022-24 and hauling in at least 20 catches each year. He was even a pre-draft riser, remember that? The Saints waived him off injured reserve earlier in September as part of an injury settlement, but now he is ready to go.
The situation in Minnesota screams for help. Jordan Mason is on injured reserve, Aaron Jones Sr. is banged up and only averaging 3.9 yards per carry, and rookie Demond Claiborne is still finding his feet. Neal is walking into a prime opportunity and will immediately battle DeeJay Dallas for reps. This isn’t merely about adding a body; it is about bringing in a guy who can contribute right away and inject some life into a struggling unit.
Roster Shuffle: QB, Punter, and Tight End Woes
Beyond Neal, the Vikings were busy. They signed Max Brosmer to the active roster, essentially bringing in a new inactive third quarterback to fill the spot left open by the traded J.J. McCarthy. On the flip side, they cut practice squad running backs Jaret Patterson and Jerome Ford, plus defensive lineman Jonathan Harris. They also terminated Johnny Hekker’s contract, a move that strongly suggests Brett Thorson, who missed Week 2 against Tampa Bay with a hamstring issue, is on track to punt this Sunday against Miami. You have to wonder if Hekker re-signs to the practice squad as an insurance policy, especially since the Vikings released three practice squad guys and elevated Brosmer, but only signed linebacker Kenny Dyson. That is some aggressive roster management.
The injury bug bit hard too, with Josh Oliver heading to injured reserve after surgery for a torn biceps. This could be a season-ending injury, leaving the Vikings thin at tight end behind T.J. Hockenson and Gavin Bartholomew. Don’t be surprised if Cam Grandy gets elevated from the practice squad to add some much-needed depth. On a positive note, edge defender Kyle Van Noy officially landed on the active roster after maxing out his practice squad elevations. The 13th-year veteran has been a pleasant surprise so far, which is a good sign considering all the turnover.
The Vikings head into Sunday’s game against Miami with a reshuffled roster and a lot of questions. Will Neal prove to be the spark the running game needs? Can Thorson stay healthy? And who steps up at tight end? It is going to be a wild one, so keep your eyes peeled.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Daily Norseman.
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