Vikings waive long snapper Austin Cutting

The Minnesota Vikings announced on Tuesday that the team was waiving long snapper Austin Cutting.

For the past two games, the Vikings have gone with Andrew DePaola at long snapper as the team made Austin Cutting inactive.

Cutting, the starting long snapper for all the games prior to the last two, had two bad snaps on field goals in a three-game stretch.  The Vikings have been inconsistent on special teams as a whole.

On Tuesday, the Vikings made an official decision in regards to their long snapping position: the team waived Cutting.

As reported by Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, the Vikings hope to sign Cutting to the practice squad if he clears waivers. So the competition between Cutting and DePaola for the long snapping spot can potentially continue, barring Cutting getting signed by another team.

Not only that, but the team announced that it would be waiving linebacker Hardy Nickerson, too. CB Marcus Sayles was released from the practice squad. The Vikings also protected tight end Brandon Dillon.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers: inactives

Here are the inactvies for the Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers before the Week 12 game on Sunday.

Minnesota has struggled on special teams in a variety of ways thus far.

Long snapper Austin Cutting had two bad snaps on field goals during a three-game stretch. Minnesota also gave up two blocked punts to the Lions.

The Vikings have been less-than-stellar on punt returns this year, too. K.J. Osborn has averaged 1.5 yards per punt return this season. He also fumbled on a punt return in the last game, but the Vikings recovered it.

So special teams has been very inconsistent. The Vikings inactivates show that the team is moving in a fresh direction in that area. Here is the list:

Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys: inactives

Here are the Minnesota Vikings’ inactives for the game vs. the Dallas Cowboys.

Minnesota has dealt with plenty of key absences this season. Despite it all, the Vikings have found a way to turn things around.

The Vikings corners have had trouble staying on the field. Cameron Dantzler is active for the team’s Week 11 matchup vs. the Dallas Cowboys. If he can play, he would certainly add a lot to a depleted corner unit. Mike Hughes, Mark Fields II, Holton Hill and safety/corner George Iloka are all still out.

Not only that, but Minnesota has ruled out a key offensive lineman for the game against Dallas. Here is the list of inactives: