3 “Losers” of the Vikings’ 2024 Preseason
The Minnesota Vikings 2024 preseason is complete, a three-game docket that ended an unbelievably bizarre 10-game August losing streak.
3 “Losers” of the Vikings’ 2024 Preseason
Minnesota starts the regular season in 14 days at MetLife Stadium versus the New York Giants.
These players’ stock fell during the preseason — “losers” of standing on the depth chart — with roster cuts two days away. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Andre Carter II (OLB)
Have you seen or heard anything notable about Andre Carter II in June, July, or August? Didn’t think so. That’s a problem. He notched a sack at the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, but that was about it for the whole summer.
Minnesota suddenly showcases a deep outside linebacker portion of the depth chart, and stragglers like Carter II will no longer make the 53-man depth chart. The Vikings have a quasi-opening at the OLB5 position after Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, and Jihad Ward, but it seems that job is heading to Bo Richter or Patrick Jones II.
If Carter II made the 53-man roster, some fans would actually be stunned because of his quiet summer. His recent performance screams practice squad.
2. Robert Tonyan (TE)
A few months ago, because T.J. Hockenson was recovering from a torn ACL, many believed newcomer free agent Robert Tonyan could take Hockenson’s spot, at least out of the gate.
His summer began well at June’s minicamp, impressing onlookers and convincing them he could be the primary pass-catching tight end with Hockenson out. But then the former Green Bay Packer encountered an injury (back spasms) and didn’t play in the preseason.
He was also buried on the Vikings’ first depth chart release.
Because of his unavailability, Tonyan lost the preseason and may not make the regular season roster.
3. Nahshon Wright (CB)
Minnesota said sayonara to Andrew Booth about two weeks ago, marking the end of an underwhelming era for No. 23. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded Booth to the Dallas Cowboys for cornerback Nahshon Wright, who has a similar story to Booth’s, only from the 3rd Round, not the 2nd.
The preseason then got underway for the Vikings, and folks have not heard much — or anything — from Wright, hinting he’ll be a roster cut or practice squader in two days when 53 men are retained for the 2024 depth chart.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.