Tight end Neal Johnson runs the ball as the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns take on Georgia State at Cajun Field in Lafayette, LA. Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021. Cajuns Vs Georgia State. © SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK.
On paper, the Minnesota Vikings didn’t need any more tight ends with roster cutdowns due next Tuesday.
But they balked at overpopulation and won a waiver claim, adding tight end Neal Johnson on Wednesday, a newcomer from the New York Jets who hopes to make the 53-man roster or join the practice squad next week.
The Vikings’ main social media team tweeted Wednesday: “The Vikings have acquired TE Neal Johnson via waivers. The roster move is pending physical.”
Minnesota’s tight room grew even larger, hitting nine names altogether:
The Vikings front office and coaching staff must’ve enjoyed Johnson’s scouting report leading up to this year’s draft — because why else add another tight end just six days before trimming the roster from 91 to 53 players? TE1 T.J. Hockenson is expected to miss the start of the season while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last December. After him, though, only three of four TEs will make the cut next week. So, Johnson will either make the team, join the practice squad, or be part of the roster for less than a week.
Johnson played five seasons at the University of Louisiana, banking 101 catches for 1,196 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was not drafted in April, instead joining the Los Angeles Rams via undrafted free agency. He didn’t stay in Los Angeles long, becoming a Jet for about a week and now linking with the Vikings.
To make room for Johnson, Minnesota waived cornerback and special teams ace NaJee Thompson with an injury designation and cut ties with offensive lineman Jeremy Flax. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also signed center-guard Matthew Cindric on Wednesday, who initially became a Viking in April via undrafted free agency but departed when Dalton Risner signed in May.
Johnson, 6’4″ and 250 pounds, earned Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt Conference in 2022. RaginCajuns.com called the rookie the “Second-leading receiver for Louisiana with 25 receptions for 296 yards (11.8 average) and a pair of TDs … Caught at least one pass in all 13 games for the Ragin’ Cajuns with TD receptions coming against Eastern Michigan and Arkansas State.”
He’s from Mesquite, Texas, and turned 23 earlier this month.
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.