In a series of roster moves on Tuesday, the Minnesota Vikings signed free agent tackle Julian Pearl to the practice squad. Minnesota also released running back Myles Gaskins and terminated practice squad contracts of linebacker Dallas Gant and tackle Marcellus Johnson. The Vikings later re-signed Gaskins back to the practice squad.
Pearl will help bolster depth on the Vikings’ offense line moving forward. The 25-year-old Pearl went undrafted in 2024 and signed as a UDFA with the Ravens on May 3. He was part of their final cuts and was not on any team’s practice squad before connecting with the Vikings.
He played for Illinois for five seasons in college. Pearl was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in both 2022 and 2023. The big left tackle started 23 consecutive games to close out his collegiate career.
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein projected Pearl as a developmental swing tackle in the NFL if he improved his pass protection and upper-body strength.