Cutdown day: Vikings officially trim roster to 53 players, announce 2 trades
By 3 p.m. on Tuesday, all NFL teams must cut their rosters down to 53 players, including in Minnesota.
With their starters resting for most of the preseason, the Minnesota Vikings saw plenty of action from their young players and new additions. While many positions are set -- starting quarterback, top three wide receivers, the linebacking corps -- plenty of questions remain on the roster.
Some of the more notable cuts Tuesday include two backup quarterbacks. Plus, there were two trades.
WCCO tracked all of the Vikings' roster moves ahead of the cutdown deadline, so check them out below.
Vikings cut 23 players to trim to 53-man roster
It's official: The Vikings have trimmed the roster down to 53 players by the NFL deadline Tuesday afternoon.
According to the team, quarterback Sean Mannion, cornerback Nate Hairston and CB Parry Nickerson were released by the team.
An additional 19 players were waived. They include:
-Safety Mike Brown
-Receiver Dan Chisena
-Tight end Zach Davidson
-Guard Wyatt Davis
-Safety Myles Dorn
-Guard Kyle Hinton
-Receiver Trishton Jackson
-Running back Bryant Koback
-Linebacker William Kwenkeu
-Linebacker Blake Lynch
-Outside linebacker Zach McCloud
-Quarterback Kellen Mond
-Tight end Nick Muse
-Outside linebacker Janarius Robinson
-Defensive lineman T.J. Smith
-Center Josh Sokol
-Linebacker Chazz Surratt
-Defensive lineman Jaylen Twyman
-Defensive lineman Armon Watts
Lastly, defensive lineman Jullian Taylor was waived with an injury settlement.
Vikings official roster updates: pic.twitter.com/MPC0uasvV5
— Ren Clayton (@Ren_Clayton) August 30, 2022
On Wednesday, the team can establish their 16-player practice squads.
As roster cut deadline arrives, Steelers reportedly trade for Vikings' OL Jesse Davis
Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Jesse Davis is reportedly heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Steelers sent a 2025 conditional 7th-round pick to Minnesota in order to acquire Davis.
It's a 2025 conditional 7th rounder going to MIN. https://t.co/R6RqXnlkMq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2022
The roster cut deadline was at 3 p.m., stay tuned for more updates as they come in.
Vikings waive DT Armon Watts, trade for DT Ross Blacklock from Texans
The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly waived a starting defensive tackle and traded for another one.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Vikings waived starting DT Armon Watts.
Shortly after, Pelissero reported that the Vikings sent a sixth- and seventh-round draft pick to the Houston Texans to acquire DT Ross Blacklock.
Minnesota will send Houston a 6th-round pick for Blacklock and a 7th, per source. https://t.co/XkBceVzHtN
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 30, 2022
Report: Vikings cut QB Sean Mannion
It appears Nick Mullens, who came to the Vikings via trade last week, has won the backup quarterback job in Minnesota.
After waiving Kellen Mond earlier in the day, the Vikings will also cut Sean Mannion, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Mannion and Mond were competing for the No. 2 job throughout training camp and the preseason. In three preseason games, Mannion completed 63% of his passes for 265 yards. He threw no touchdowns or interceptions.
The Vikings sent a conditional seventh round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for Mullens.
Vikings reportedly cut 3 defenders from 2021 draft class
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Vikings will release defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman.
Twyman, a sixth round pick in 2021, was shot four times while visiting his aunt in Washington D.C. last summer. He missed all of last season while recovering and returned to football this offseason.
Schefter also reported the Vikings will release second-year linebacker Chazz Surratt.
Meanwhile, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said the team will waive Janarius Robinson, a depth defensive end who was drafted in the fourth round just a year ago.
Vikings reportedly waiving QB Kellen Mond
The Vikings are reportedly waiving QB Kellen Mond, a third round pick in 2021 who failed to impress this preseason.
The NFL Network's Tom Pelissero first reported the move. If Mond goes unclaimed by another team, he could be signed to the Vikings' practice squad.
The #Vikings are waiving QB Kellen Mond, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 30, 2022
A third-round pick out of Texas A&M in 2021, Mond had a lot of fans in the pre-draft process. But he struggled in preseason action and Minnesota's new regime traded for Nick Mullens recently. Now, Mond heads to waivers.
Mond split time with fellow backup QB Sean Mannion this preseason. He completed 57% of his passes for 303 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Last week, the Vikings traded for Las Vegas Raiders backup QB Nick Mullens, all but assuring either Mond or Mannion would be cut.
Johnson, McGill head to IR; Vikings cut 3
The Vikings began the cutdown process by placing two players on injured reserve and cutting three others.
Bisi Johnson, a veteran wide receiver, will spend a second straight season on IR with an ACL injury, which occurred during Saturday's preseason game against the Denver Broncos. After the game, head coach Kevin O'Connell said Johnson had "earned a right to be on our football team."
Defensive lineman T.Y. McGill is also heading to IR with an ankle injury. He had 3.5 sacks in the preseason, second-best in the NFL.
The Vikings also released cornerback Tye Smith and waived offensive tackle Timon Parris and wide receiver Myron Mitchell.