The Vikings began releasing players Tuesday morning ahead of the 3 p.m. deadline to set an initial 53-man roster. Here’s a running list of players who have been informed they’ll be let go, according to league sources.
DT Esezi Otomewo
DT Sheldon Day
OLB Luiji Vilain
CB Joejuan Williams
WR Thayer Thomas
RB Aaron Dykes
Guard Chris Reed is expected to remain on the reserve/non-football injury list after suffering a leg injury away from the facility this summer, a source said. He’ll transition from the active/NFI list and free up a roster spot.
The Vikings needed to make at least 15 additional moves after also parting ways with 15 players on Monday.
Otomewo, the former Gophers defender and fifth-round pick, is the second member of the Vikings’ 2022 draft class who won’t make the initial 53-man roster. Tackle Vederian Lowe, a sixth-round pick, was traded to the Patriots on Sunday night for a 2024 sixth-round pick.
Vilain, undrafted out of Wake Forest last year, was a priority rookie free agent who was guaranteed $227,000 to sign. He made last year’s 53-man roster, but Vikings coaches lauded depth at the position this summer which included this year’s top undrafted rookie, Andre Carter II, as well as second-year edge rusher Benton Whitley. Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones II are locks.
A source said cornerback NaJee Thompson, the undrafted product from Georgia Southern, has been informed he’ll make the 53-man roster. Thompson was an immediate standout on special teams before suffering a concussion in the Aug. 19 exhibition against the Titans.
Star Tribune staff writer Ben Goessling contributed to this report.