Vikings clear salary cap space, release Dean Lowry and William Kwenkeu

The Minnesota Vikings have released DE Dean Lowry and ILB William Kwenkeu to save salary cap space.

The Minnesota Vikings continue to make things happen in free agency. After agreeing to terms with six players and re-signing two of their own, the Vikings announced they have released defensive end Dean Lowry and linebacker William Kwenkeu.

The move is projected to save about $3 million on the salary cap with Kwenkeu having a non-guaranteed salary of $915,000 and $2,082,353 with the Lowry release. He does incur $2,400,000 in dead cap from his signing last year.

During his time playing with the Vikings, Lowry only ended up playing in nine games before tearing his pectoral muscle. Those eight games weren’t great either, having a grade of 47.4 overall.

Kwenkeu was waived during training camp last year with an injury designation and he reverted back to injured reserve. He was initially signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022.

More moves are likely coming, especially with safety Harrison Smith having a cap hit of over $19 million for the 2024 season.

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Vikings 53-man roster, elevation-eligible players vs Bears in Week 12

The 53-man roster and practice squad saw multiple changes this week

The Minnesota Vikings had some changes on the roster after a 21-20 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday night.

Defensive end Dean Lowry injured his pectoral muscle which needed surgery and was placed on injured reserve. They also lost outside linebacker Benton Whitley to the New York Giants, who signed him to the active roster off of the Vikings practice squad.

That wasn’t all. The Vikings also activated Chris Reed to the active roster after he was on the NFI list since the start of training camp with a foot injury. Nose tackle Sheldon Day was brought up from the practice squad to join the active roster while wide receiver Trishton Jackson was sent back down to the practice squad.

Heading into Monday night’s game, here is the updated 53-man roster, including potential elevations to the active roster.

Vikings make two roster moves on Monday

The Vikings needed to make a roster move after Sunday’s game saw a season-ending injury

After their loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday night, the Minnesota Vikings made two roster moves.

  • DE Dean Lowry was placed on injured reserve
  • G Chris Reed was activated from the non-football injury list

Lowry suffered a pectoral injury on Sunday night that will require surgery. That surgery will make him miss the rest of the season.

The Vikings already don’t have a great defensive line and losing a player will hurt. They do have T.J. Smith and Sheldon Day on the practice squad to help fortify the unit.

Reed needed to be activated before Wednesday as his practice window was closing. He will be a nice addition to the depth on the roster, especially having another player who can play center in a pinch.

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The good, bad and ugly from Vikings 21-20 loss vs. Broncos

Chris Spooner looks at the good, bad and ugly from the heartbreaking loss to the Denver Broncos.

The streak is over. We all knew it was going to come to an end eventually, but the Minnesota Vikings’ five-game win streak ended in heartbreaking fashion last night against the Denver Broncos by a score of 21-20.

Minnesota had been in control for much of the game, seemingly making all the plays when they needed to. The ground game showed signs of life for maybe the first time all season. Josh Dobbs was making plays with his arms and legs, sometimes in spectacular fashion. Through three-and-a-half quarters it looked like the Vikings were going to come away with yet another victory.

Then it all fell apart.

The Vikings’ defense faltered at the end, allowing Russell Wilson and the Broncos to march down the field and score the go-ahead touchdown. Then Dobbs and the offense had one more opportunity to pull a rabbit out of their hat, but the magic had faded.

It’s a heartbreaking way for the streak to end, but all good things must end eventually. Now it’s on to next week, an important division battle on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears — a game that may see the return of wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

But before we get to Chicago, let’s take a look at the good, bad and ugly from yesterday’s loss to the Broncos.

Dean Lowry (pectoral) ruled out vs. Broncos

Lowry will miss the rest of the game with a pectoral injury

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Dean Lowry has been ruled out for the remainder of tonight’s game against the Broncos with a pectoral injury. The Vikings’ defense has played well tonight, keeping Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense in check to the tune of just two field goals in the first half.

With Lowry out, the Vikings are down to just two defensive ends on the roster; Jaquelin Roy and Jonathan Bullard. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been calling a lot of zone coverage plays so far, limiting Wilson’s ability to find gaps in the coverage.

With the loss of an interior pass rusher, look for that strategy to continue. We’ll see how the loss of Lowry affects the Vikings defense and their ability to keep Wilson and the Broncos out of the endzone going forward. It’s a loss that certain to be felt at any rate, as the injuries just keep coming for Minnesota.

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Vikings injury report: Mattison improves, Dobbs remains

Thursday’s injury report showed improvement

The Minnesota Vikings released their injury report for Thursday and it showed a little bit of improvement.

  • CB Akayleb Evans (calf): Did not practice
  • RB Alexander Mattison: (concussion): Limited
  • ILB Brian Asamoah (ankle): Limited
  • TE T.J. Hockenson (ribs): Limited
  • QB Nick Mullens (back): Limited
  • QB Josh Dobbs (ankle): Full
  • QB Jaren Hall (concussion): Full
  • DE Dean Lowry (groin): Full
  • WR K.J. Osborn (concussion): Full
  • G Chris Reed (foot): Full

There were three changes from yesterday’s report. Greg Joseph was removed after missing practice on Wednesday due to a personal matter. Hall improved to a full participant and Mattison improved to a limited participant. Both players are hoping to be removed from concussion protocol before Sunday’s game.

The biggest concern is Evans still not practicing with his calf injury. If he is unable to go, we would be seeing a substantial amount of both Andrew Booth Jr. and Mekhi Blackmon. We also would likely see Joejuan Williams get elevated from the practice squad.

Friday’s injury report will hopefully have more clarity and less names.

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Vikings initial Week 11 injury report includes Josh Dobbs

The initial injury report includes quarterback Josh Dobbs

The Minnesota Vikings have released their initial injury report for Sunday night’s game against the Denver Broncos and it’s relatively deep. The Vikings did not practice on Wednesday but held a walkthrough.

  • CB Akayleb Evans (calf): Did not practice
  • K Greg Joseph (not injury related-personal matter): Did not practice
  • RB Alexander Mattison: (concussion): Did not practice
  • ILB Brian Asamoah (ankle): Limited
  • QB Jaren Hall (concussion): Limited
  • TE T.J. Hockenson (ribs): Limited
  • QB Nick Mullens (back): Limited
  • QB Josh Dobbs (ankle): Full
  • DE Dean Lowry (groin): Full
  • WR K.J. Osborn (concussion): Full
  • G Chris Reed (foot): Full

The biggest additions to the list are Evans, Mattison and Dobbs. Evans suffered his injury on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The team has some hope that Mattison will play on Sunday despite not participating in the walkthrough. Dobbs’ ankle is a new injury that wasn’t reported before.

Lowry did see improvement from last week being listed as a full participant. He looks to be on track to play against the Broncos. Asamoah still hasn’t improved from last week. His injury paired with Hicks being hurt explains the Anthony Barr signing.

Thursday’s injury report will tell us more about who will play on Sunday.

Vikings release Week 10 inactives, Jalen Nailor makes season debut

Jalen Nailor is set to make his 2023 season debut against the Saints

The Minnesota Vikings released their inactives for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

  • S Lewis Cine
  • QB Jaren Hall
  • WR K.J. Osborn
  • ILB Brian Asamoah II
  • TE Nick Muse
  • OL Hakeem Adeniji
  • DE Dean Lowry

No major surprises on the inactive list. Hall was already ruled out and Lowry was doubtful. Osborn was ruled out earlier Sunday morning and won’t attend the game either. The Vikings are playing it smart with Osborn.

Asamoah was questionable but was likely to be out once the Vikings added Nick Vigil to the active roster on Saturday morning.

The big one here is Cine, who is inactive for the sixth time this season. Two of those games were due to the hamstring injury he suffered and he has yet to play a single defensive snap this season. Why is he not playing even special teams? Well, it’s likely that Jay Ward is just better at special teams.

The good part about the inactive list is that Jalen Nailor isn’t included. He will make his season debut after sitting out for the better part of four months with a hamstring injury.

The game kicks off at noon central.

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Analyzing final Vikings injury report vs. Saints

The Vikings are getting healthier heading into the stretch run

The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon with Josh Dobbs getting his first start for the franchise.

Throughout the week, the injury report saw multiple names on it with significant starters in limbo for Sunday’s game.

The final injury report is out and the Vikings injury report is extensive.

Vikings release inactives for Week 9 vs. Falcons

Christian Darrisaw highlights the Vikings inactive list

The Minnesota Vikings have released their inactive list for their week nine matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.

  • LT Christian Darrisaw
  • ILB Brian Asamoah II
  • TE Nick Muse
  • RB Kene Nwangwu
  • S Lewis Cine
  • WR Jalen Nailor
  • DE Dean Lowry

The Vikings will be without Darrisaw for the second week this season. He dressed but didn’t play against the Philadelphia Eagles. Darrisaw injured his groin during practice this week.

Asamoah misses his second consecutive game with an ankle injury.

Muse continues to be inactive, as he hasn’t been active all season.

Nwangwu and Nailor are still out with their respective injuries.

Cine being inactive is a very frustrating one because of his draft capital.

The game kicks off at noon.

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