Questions Answered: Vikings’ Most Surprising Roster Cut, Dalton Risner, Lewis Cine Verdict
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the August 26th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Vikings’ Most Surprising Roster Cut, Dalton Risner, Lewis Cine Verdict
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Q: Which Vikings’ cut was most surprising on Monday?
Answer: Nobody, really.
DeWayne McBride was the only organic Vikings draft pick to find the exit sign. And then Gophers legend Mohamed Ibrahim only lasted a few days with the club.
This is the complete list of Monday cuts:
- Matt Cindric (OL)
- Matt Corral (QB)
- Chuck Filiaga (OL)
- A.J. Green III (CB)
- Justin Hall (WR)
- Mo Ibrahim (RB)
- Neal Johnson (TE)
- Tyler Manoa (DL)
- DeWayne McBride (RB)
- Doug Nester (OL)
- Owen Porter (OLB)
- Sammis Reyes (TE)
- Spencer Rolland (OL)
- Jaylin Williams (CB)
Twenty-four roster cuts are on the way before the end of Tuesday.
Men like Cindric, Filiaga, Ibrahim, and Johnson were evidently just bodies for the field in the final preseason game, which Minnesota won on Saturday.
Overall — no surprises. Just a trimming of the RB room.
Q: Will Dalton Risner start when he returns from injured reserve?
Answer: Only if Ed Ingram or Blake Brandel stinks.
Risner was placed on injured reserve on Monday after fans had whispered about his possible roster exit for a few weeks. The beloved Vikings offensive lineman will not leave the franchise, instead rehabbing in September. His eyes are locked on a return in Week 5.
The Vikings travel to London for a date with the New York Jets when Risner is eligible to return.
It basically seems like Risner’s insertion into the lineup might mimic last year. That is — it won’t happen immediately but could assuredly occur midseason.
Q: Will Lewis Cine make the 53-man roster?
A: Sadly, we predict no.
This one is a total 50-50, though, and we won’t be surprised one iota if we’re wrong. Cine has one major problem: there may not be defensive snaps for him in the 2024 defense even if he were rocking and rolling all summer. Does anyone really think Minnesota is on the cusp of benching Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, or Camryn Bynum? Nope.
The coaching staff also loves Theo Jackson.
We think Cine will be traded or released, chiefly because the safety room doesn’t need a fifth or sixth guy.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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