The Vikings kept working the margins of their offensive line this week, and former Chiefs guard C.J. Hanson was part of the search.
Minnesota brought Hanson in for a workout on Tuesday, November 3, along with three other linemen: guards Wyatt Bowles and tackles Isaiah Jatta and Corey Robinson, according to reporting from Minnesota Sports Fan. Hanson’s NFL background makes him a familiar name in that group. Kansas City picked him in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 248th overall selection, and he spent his first two professional seasons with the Chiefs after coming out of Holy Cross.
The visit came at a time when the Vikings had clear reasons to keep digging for help up front. The team waived guard Trevor Keegan on November 3 after he appeared in seven games, and injuries have also thinned out the interior line depth.
Still, a workout is just that - a look, not a guarantee. Hanson’s time in Minnesota did not automatically mean he was headed onto the roster.
The Vikings did make a move after the tryouts, but it was Corey Robinson II who ended up getting the nod, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Robinson had previously spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals after going undrafted out of Arkansas.
Minnesota’s search came with the calendar pointing to Week 9 and a matchup with Buffalo. The Vikings were coming off their first loss of the season, a 19-15 defeat to Detroit that snapped their unbeaten start and put even more focus on fixing the protection issues.
For Kevin O’Connell, the message is clear: the offensive line has to be ready for a tough test against the Bills, and the Vikings are still combing through options to make sure it is.
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