3 Departed Vikings from 2023 Roster on Track for Playoffs
The Minnesota Vikings had a busy offseason many months ago, during which they said goodbye to several long-term veterans and completed their “competitive rebuild.”
The purple team now owns a 13-2 record through 16 weeks, needing two more wins in the next seven days to secure homefield advantage throughout the postseason.
3 Departed Vikings from 2023 Roster on Track for Playoffs
Most players who left during the offseason are not on track for the playoffs, but a handful will play meaningful football in January.
These men will. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Danielle Hunter (EDGE, HOU)
Hunter is on pace for 13 sacks this season. Everyone knew he’d play great in Houston and has not disappointed.
His Texans started the season like gangbusters, at least until as of late. Houston has conducted a faceplant recently but is guaranteed a playoff spot, no matter what.
Hunter and his pals will host a home playoff game in two weeks, probably against the Pittsburgh Steelers or Los Angeles Chargers. The ex-Viking’s quarterback terrorism will be required, especially versus the Steelers or Chargers.
2. Dean Lowry (DT, PIT)
Lowry, a Viking from the 2023 season before an injury ended his campaign, plays for the Steelers right now and sees action on about 20% of snaps.
He originally found his way to Minnesota from the Green Bay Packers, and after a pit stop in the Twin Cities, Lowry tried on the AFC North for size. His Steelers were cruising through the regular season until a recent three-game losing streak derailed momentum.
Pittsburgh is now staring at a Wildcard playoff outlook after bungling the last three games and will probably hit the road in two weeks to play the Baltimore Ravens or Houston Texans.
3. K.J. Osborn (WR, WAS)
Minnesota did not re-sign Osborn back in March, and he eventually signed with the New England Patriots.
The experiment did not go well.
Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye largely ignored Osborn in the passing game — so much so that New England cut him loose a couple of weeks ago. That wasn’t the end of his 2024 campaign, however, as the Washington Commanders claimed Osborn for their playoff push, or at least as insurance on the practice squad.
The Commanders will probably meet the Philadelphia Eagles or Detroit Lions on the road in Round 1 of the playoffs.
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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