The Vikings’ roster cutdown day sent 36 players into the waiver wire shuffle, and by the time the dust settled, Minnesota had managed to keep most of them close to home in one form or another.
A total of 28 players were part of the cut process, and 22 of them are either still with the Vikings, not currently on another roster, or are unrestricted free agents. That means a large chunk of the group Minnesota moved on from is still hanging around the organization, whether on the practice squad or in limbo while injuries sort themselves out.
The practice squad picture has already changed a bit since those moves were made. Gerhardt, Gray, Lang, Leigh, and Stewart were all released to open spots for other players.
Gerhardt stands out as the most disappointing name in that group. Minnesota used a seventh-round pick in 2026 to get him, and he’s now the only drafted player not still wearing purple and gold. With the team needing help at that position, the decision to move on from him says plenty.
Injuries also played a major role in how this all shook out. The league’s system gives teams a way to hold onto a player’s rights while still freeing up a roster spot, and that’s exactly what Minnesota is doing with a few of these cuts.
When healthy, the hope is that those players can come back and keep developing. The oldest of the five is 26-year-old Jefferson, so there’s still time for that to happen.
McGlothern and Nesbit are in a slightly different spot. They can technically sign elsewhere, but they’re being paid by the Vikings through injury settlements.
Once they clear waivers, that money continues until they’re healthy enough to play again. Since they aren’t physically able to help another team right now, they won’t be signed anyway.
Scott was the only one who didn’t clear waivers for Minnesota. The halfback appeared in 16 games for the Vikings last season and finished with 32 carries for 114 yards, plus 14 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.
He’s now with Chicago, where he landed on the Bears’ practice squad. Minnesota could have used the depth, but the division rival had other plans.
A number of these players were brought in to be evaluated during camp and the preseason, so none of them were exactly walking in as favorites to make the 53. Still, they were given a real chance.
Hekker is the exception. The veteran punter came in to battle Australian rookie Brett Thorson for the job and lost a tight competition. Loudermilk is another name worth watching later in the season, given the experience he brings from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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