2 Last-Minute Roster Moves for Vikings before Playoffs

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The playoffs are here for the Minnesota Vikings, taking on the Los Angeles Rams in Arizona on Monday night in the Wildcard Round.

Vikings Roster Undergoes 2 Last-Minute Tweaks before Playoffs

The NFL shifted the contest from Los Angeles to Glendale, Arizona, because of Southern California wildfires.

And with the game mere hours away, the Vikings announced two roster moves, signing offensive tackle Marcellus Johnson to the practice squad and ruling out defensive tackle Taki Taimani. The team tweeted, “The Vikings have signed T Marcellus Johnson to the practice squad. DL Taki Taimani has been downgraded to OUT and remains in his 21-day practice window.”

Marcellus Johnson Signed to PS

Johnson joined the NFL nine months ago as an undrafted free agent, unearthed by the New York Giants. He spent all offseason in New York, participating in training camp and three preseason games. He also made the cut for the team’s practice squad during roster trimdowns three weeks ago, but the Giants said sayonara on September 11th.

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He then signed with the Vikings in September as a member of the practice squad — just like this time — but didn’t last long. But Johnson is back and may be an OT depth piece that Minnesota enjoys for the future.

Johnson attended Eastern Michigan University and the University of Missouri. Lucas Drengwitz of nchsinkspot.com wrote about Johnson in May, “Those seasons drew the attention of Eastern Michigan, where Johnson started all but one game during his final three seasons as an Eagle, earning Academic All-MAC honors three times during his time in Ypsilanti.”

Vikings Roster
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These are the Vikings OTs with Johnson in the mix:

  • Brian O’Neill
  • Cam Robinson
  • David Quessenberry
  • Walter Rouse
  • Christian Darrisaw (IR)
  • Leroy Watson (Practice Squad)
  • Marcellus Johnson (Practice Squad)
  • Trevor Reid (Futures Deal)

Taki Taimani = Out

Taimani has battled an ankle injury since early November, missing every game since.

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In his stead, fellow undrafted commodity Jalen Redmond has fully blossomed, one of Minnesota’s most pleasant surprises in 2024. Taimani appeared in seven games during the regular season — all before his ankle malady — and banked 70 defensive snaps and 34 special teams plays. The Oregon alumnus played about 14% of the time during his maiden voyage campaign.

The Vikings recently opened his 21-day practice window after the injured reserve trip, and there was hope he’d be ready for the postseason. If applicable, however, Taimani will have to wait until next week.

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This is the DT group — sometimes called “defensive ends” in Brian Flores’ system — entering the playoffs:

  • Harrison Phillips
  • Jerry Tillery
  • Jonathan Bullard
  • Jalen Redmond
  • Taki Taimani (OUT)
  • Levi Drake Rodriguez

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 MIN 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.