Vikings cut cornerback Akayleb Evans, parting with another piece of their 2022 draft class

The Vikings let go of the final defensive back from their 2022 draft class on Saturday, cutting cornerback Akayleb Evans in the middle of a season where his role on defense had dissolved.

Evans, the Vikings’ fourth-round pick in 2022, started 15 games in 2023 but lost his starting job at the end of last season and sunk behind the two veterans (Shaq Griffin and Stephon Gilmore) the team signed before 2024. This season, Evans had played only three defensive snaps, and he missed three games because of a hip injury.

The team waived Evans to make room for tight end Nick Muse, who returned from the hand injury that had him on injured reserve. Muse will go into Sunday’s game at Chicago with no injury designation, and likely play a role in the offense with Josh Oliver out because of an ankle injury.

Evans is the fifth member of General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first draft class to leave the team; it’s believed the team has interest in bringing Evans back to the practice squad, though he would have to clear waivers for that to happen. Guard Ed Ingram, the team’s second-round pick in 2022, was pulled out of the starting lineup last week against the Titans, and third-round pick Brian Asamoah II is playing special teams.

The Vikings have only Mekhi Blackmon, Dwight McGlothern and NaJee Thompson under contract at cornerback for 2025, though they could explore a new deal for the 26-year-old Byron Murphy Jr. and pursue help in free agency. Blackmon and Thompson are out this season because of injuries.

The team also elevated long snapper Jake McQuaide from the practice squad for Sunday’s game, and ruled outside linebacker Gabe Murphy out because of the knee injury that still has him on IR. Murphy, like Muse, is in his 21-day window to return, but will have to wait until at least next Sunday against Arizona.