Ahead of their game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday morning (Central time) in London, the Minnesota Vikings have made a handful of roster moves, some of which are pretty significant. Let’s get you caught up on everything that’s happened today.
First off, the Vikings have placed center Ryan Kelly on injured reserve. Kelly, who had a history of concussion issues during his time with the Indianapolis Colts, has had two concussions in the first four weeks of this season. While the move means that Kelly will miss a minimum of four games, there should be a much greater concern that this is going to be a longer trip to IR for the veteran center. Hopefully he’ll get things cleared up, but it’s not great news for someone the Vikings thought could anchor their line for the next couple of seasons.
The team has also waived veteran quarterback Desmond Ridder, who they signed following the injury to J.J. McCarthy. Ridder served as the emergency quarterback for the Vikings in each of the past two games. There’s a chance that he could come back as a member of the practice squad.
The Vikings also made several additions to the roster, including activating fullback C.J. Ham from injured reserve. Ham, who has been with the Vikings since 2016, was placed on injured reserve ahead of the 53-man roster cuts and designated for return. The Vikings opened his practice window this week, and they have decided he’s ready to go. Welcome back, C.J.!
Minnesota has also signed offensive lineman Vershon Lee to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. The Vikings initially signed Lee this spring after the team’s mini-camp. He played his college ball at the University of South Carolina, where he logged 40 starts over his career, including 18 at center. With Kelly now out for at least four weeks (and probably more), and backup Michael Jurgens out for Sunday’s game as well, Lee gives someone who actually has some experience at the center spot on the roster. He’ll back up Blake Brandel, who will start at center against Cleveland. Brandel has never played center at any level, so that should be fun.
The team has also elevated offensive lineman Henry Byrd and running back Cam Akers from the practice squad. This is the second elevation to the active roster for Byrd, as he was moved up ahead of the team’s Week 3 matchup with Cincinnati, while this is the third elevation of the year for Akers. That means that if the Vikings want to put Akers on the active roster again, they’ll need to sign him to the 53-man roster, as he has now used up all of his standard elevations.
That should get you caught up on all of the moves the team made ahead of Sunday’s matchup with Cleveland. Should they do anything else, we’ll get that news to you as soon as we have it.
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