Vikings Release Once-Promising WR
The adventure didn’t last long. Eighteen days, in fact.
The Minnesota Vikings parted ways with once-promising wide receiver N’Keal Harry on Thursday, with five days remaining before the club must trim the roster to 53 players.
Vikings Release Once-Promising WR
The Vikings tweeted, “The Vikings have signed S Jake Gervase, and released WR N’Keal Harry.”
And it doesn’t get any more straightforward than that, as Harry will now hit open free agency and can sign anywhere in the league.
Minnesota signed Harry on August 6th, a transaction that fell out of the sky because most of the team’s fans believed the Vikings were somewhat deep at wide receiver. Harry brought former 1st-Round draft stock to the table, and some felt his resume and performance at training camp could launch the 25-year-old to a roster spot.
But those theories were incorrect, and the Vikings will presumably keep Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor as the WR ‘locks’ on the active roster, with Jalen Reagor, Brandon Powell, and Trishton Jackson vying for WR5 and [or] WR6 jobs.
Harry has tabulated 64 receptions for 714 yards and 5 scores in his four-year career, so he has some experience. He hasn’t taken the NFL by storm since 2019, especially as a former 1st-Rounder, but he was more of a ‘big name’ to land with the Vikings than most folks expected.
The former Patriot joined the Vikings in early August at a time when injuries hobbled Jalen Nailor and Trishton Jackson, and with both men back healthy, Harry was evidently the odd man out.
On Gervase, he’s a safety-linebacker from the Los Angeles Rams. He spent four seasons in Los Angeles — two with current Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell — and primarily filled special teams duties. Like dozens of current Vikings personnel, he’ll hope to grab a 53-man roster spot next Tuesday.
The ex-Ram has played 375 career special teams snaps and 13 defensive plays in four seasons.
Harry caught two passes for 24 yards in the Vikings first preseason game at Seattle. He was also accountable for a few nifty training camp highlights during his brief stay.
The Vikings final preseason game kicks off Saturday afternoon versus the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. The new guy, Gervase, should see ample playing time.
Gervase will turn 28 next month. He won a Super Bowl with O’Connell in 2021.
Infamous Ex-Viking Waived by Browns
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.