Vikings Add New Defender for Home Stretch
The Minnesota Vikings have just four games remaining in 2025, but that did not stop the club from fortifying the practice squad with a little depth this week, adding linebacker Josh Ross to the mix.
The Vikings added a little-known linebacker for the home stretch, bolstering depth as injuries stack up and the season winds toward its finish.
Ross likely won’t see any regular season action, instead an option for a futures contract next month. He’s a Viking for the time being.
LB Josh Ross to Vikings
An under-the-radar signing for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
Vikings Ink Ross
Ross found a spot on the purple practice squad. NFL writer Jonathan Comeaux wrote Tuesday, “The Vikings are signing LB Josh Ross to their practice squad on Tuesday. Minnesota hosted Ross for a tryout earlier today and was impressed enough to quickly sign him to a contract.”
“Ross, 26, originally signed on with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan in 2022. He bounced on and off Baltimore’s practice squad in 2023 but was among their final roster cuts coming out of the preseason in 2024.”
The roster on the Vikings’ website confirmed the transaction.
Ross’ Bio
Ross played at Michigan from 2017 to 2021, crossing paths with J.J. McCarthy in McCarthy’s first year. He’s from Detroit and earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2021. Ross also ran a 4.79 leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft and later went undrafted.
The veteran linebacker joined the Baltimore Ravens from undrafted free agency in 2022, sticking around John Harbaugh’s club for 2.5 seasons before being waived in October 2024. The Seattle Seahawks then inked Ross during 2025 free agency, but he did not survive summer roster cuts, rendering him unemployed for the last three months.
Ross has 11 career tackles and 419 special teams snaps to his name in three seasons. He’s never taken a snap on defense as a linebacker. Just special teams.
New ILB Group for Vikings
With Ross in the fold, here’s a look at Minnesota’s updated off-ball linebacking corps:
- Blake Cashman
- Eric Wilson
- Ivan Pace Jr.
- Austin Keys
- Sione Takitaki (Practice Squad)
- Josh Ross (Practice Squad)
It’s worth noting that Wilson is posting a career season and will likely return to Minnesota next season due to his damn-near Pro Bowl performance. Cashman, meanwhile, leads the team in tackles despite missing four games earlier in 2025.
Special Teams Duty
So, what’s the assignment for Ross? Well, if he gets the call to the gameday roster, he’s virtually assured to continue his special teams quest. The Vikings have plenty of linebackers on defense, but on special teams, Ross could offer an injection.
Minnesota has been plagued by special teams penalties this season, though it did play a mostly clean game last weekend.
If Ross sees the field in Minnesota, it will be on return coverage. That’s his jam.
Initial Scouting Report on Ross
Before the 2022 NFL Draft, Pro Football Network’s Oliver Hodgkinson noted on Ross: “Underrated linebacker with a complete game. Instinctive, quickly reads plays, and fires to the action. Displays tremendous range on the field and goes sideline to sideline. Plays with a violent attitude and possesses a terrific closing burst. Can be a devastating hitter and drives his shoulders through opponents.”
“Easily changes direction, quickly gets out in lateral pursuit, and uses his hands to protect himself. Remains disciplined with coverage assignments, is very effective in zone coverage, and redirects to make the tackle in space.”
Ross is 6’0″ and 230 pounds.
“While Ross lacks classic size, he’s an impact linebacker who violently defends the run while holding his own in coverage. Significantly underrated in my opinion, he has starting potential on the inside of a 3-4 alignment. And if properly coached, Ross will be a very productive professional,” Hodgkinson added three years ago.
Ross will turn 27 next Halloween.
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