Speedy Former Viking Released by Panthers
Former Minnesota Vikings running back and speedster Mike Boone is looking for work.
Speedy Former Viking Released by Panthers
Boone had latched onto the Carolina Panthers roster in January 2024, sticking with the franchise on the practice squad after roster cuts in August, then getting promoted to the active roster after Week 1 — and now hitting the open free-agent market.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted Tuesday, “Panthers sign Cade Mays off Giants practice squad, promoted Thomas Incoom to the 53-man roster, released Mike Boone, waived Jayden Peevy and Russ Yeast, and released Alex Cook from the practice squad.”
Boone is now able to sign anywhere in the NFL and will likely join some team’s practice squad before too long.
The Boone release hits as the Panthers are close to welcoming rookie running back Jonathon Brooks to the active roster from the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. There is no clear timeline for Brooks’ insertion into the lineup, but onlookers — especially fantasy football managers — expect Brooks rushing attempts within the next month.
These are the Panthers running backs without Boone:
- Jonathan Brooks (NFI)
- Chuba Hubbard
- Miles Sanders
- Raheem Blackshear
- Dillon Johnson (PS)
Booth began his NFL career as a Viking, added to the roster via undrafted free agency in 2018 by former general manager Rick Spielman. After departing the Vikings in early 2021, Boone signed with the Broncos for two years, in 2021 and 2022, and used free agency for his career’s third chapter in Houston in the 2023 offseason.
Boone played for the Texans for most of the 2023 season, but that playoff-bound club said sayonara on December 18th, 2023. The Panthers scooped Boone in January, and he remained on the offseason roster until the 53-man deadline. He didn’t make the initial cut but found his way to the practice squad.
The Cincinnati alumnus played 102 offensive snaps for the Texans in 2023 and 44 on special teams, with 5 rushing attempts for 23 yards, plus 7 catches for 40 yards. Boone lived in RB3-RB4 territory on the Texans’ depth chart among men like Devin Singletary, Dameon Pierce, and Dare Ogunbowale.
Here’s his NFL resume to date:
- Minnesota Vikings (2018–2020)
- Denver Broncos (2021–2022)
- Houston Texans (2023)
- Carolina Panthers (2023–2024)
Boone is known for speed and could provide a few touches for a team’s offense if it needed a shifty RB3.
Interestingly, the Vikings might need additional RB depth after RB1 Aaron Jones injured his hip in London during a Week 5 win over the New York Jets, though it’s unclear if Boone would move the needle. Jones is considered week-to-week.
The Panthers’ rushing offense currently ranks 15th leaguewide per DVOA.
Boone will turn 30 next summer.
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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. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings 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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