Vikings Add Familiar Name at RB
Dustin Baker
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Some thought it would happen last week, but it took a bit longer than expected.
The Minnesota Vikings reportedly re-signed running back Myles Gaskin on Monday, one day after the club downed the New Orleans Saints to reach a 6-4 record.
Vikings Add Familiar Name at RB
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Back to Minnesota: The Vikings are signing running back Myles Gaskin to their practice squad after the Rams signed him away from Minnesota, per source.”
Minnesota employs Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, and DeWayne McBride at running back, which might be enough, generally speaking, if one man became hot and seized the bulk of the carries. Yet, increasingly in 2023, the Vikings ground game has not stacked any momentum, and adding Gaskin is evidently a depth solution.
Gaskin was stolen by the Rams from the Vikings practice squad in October, a contingency plan when Kyren Williams hit injured reserve. But with Williams’ return to the field nearing, plus contributions from Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman, Gaskin evidently became expendable, and Los Angeles released the runner last week.
The 26-year-old initially joined the Vikings roster late in the summer after the club auditioned men like Kareem Hunt and Mike Davis for the gig. The Dolphins cut Gaskin loose during roster trimdowns, and Minnesota pounced.
Then, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah swung a low-stakes trade for Cam Akers — a deal also with the Rams — and Gaskin ventured to Minnesota’s practice squad. Los Angeles flew in for the practice squad pilfer.
The former 7th-Round draft pick is a dual-threat RB, tabulating 101 receptions since 2019 for 701 yards and 6 touchdowns, with 361 rushing attempts for 1,355 yards and 7 scores. He was at the peak of his powers in 2020, tallying 972 yards from scrimmage.
Here’s Gaskin’s Pro Football Focus resume to date:
2022: 66.5
2021: 64.8
2020: 74.5
2019: 57.4
Gaskin has played eight snaps between the Vikings and Rams this season, all special teams.
Minnesota’s rushing attack has been sparked in the last two games from an unlikely source — quarterback Josh Dobbs. But outside of this newfound mobility, the Vikings running backs haven’t performed at a serviceable clip to date in 2023, with just seven games remaining.
The Vikings rank fourth-worst in rushing yards after Week 10.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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