The Vikings now have the 21st and 22nd picks of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Vikings add receiver Jalen Reagor in a trade with the Eagles
The Vikings cut Ihmir Smith-Marsette and re-signed 12 players to the practice squad on Wednesday.
August 31, 2022 at 10:56PM
They acquired receiver Jalen Reagor, who was drafted one spot ahead of Vikings star Justin Jefferson, from the Eagles for a 2023 seventh-round pick and conditional 2024 fourth-round pick that can become a fifth-round pick. The Vikings released receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, a 2021 fifth-round pick, to make room on the roster.
Just last week, receiver K.J. Osborn had Smith-Marsette and Bisi Johnson, who suffered a torn ACL in Saturday's preseason finale, in the position room every day.
"It's super tough," Osborn said. "That's what I'm learning. I'm in Year 3, so some of this stuff is my first time experiencing some of these things as well. That is the business."
Reagor gives the Vikings another option at receiver and punt returner, where Smith-Marsette struggled to adapt in the preseason. Reagor averaged 7.3 yards per return on 31 punts last year for Philadelphia.
Reagor, who has 64 catches for 695 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons, joins a receiver group with Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Osborn and rookie Jalen Nailor.
Smith-Marsette is the seventh member of the 2021 draft class let go by first-year general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Only two of the draft picks — edge rusher Janarius Robinson and defensive lineman Jaylen Twyman — returned on the practice squad.
Practice squad formed
The Vikings re-signed 12 players to the practice squad, bringing back Robinson, tight end Nick Muse, running back Bryant Koback, guard Kyle Hinton, receivers Trishton Jackson and Dan Chisena, center Josh Sokol, linebacker William Kwenkeu, defensive tackles T.J. Smith and Twyman, cornerback Parry Nickerson and safety Myles Dorn.
Four open spots remain on the 16-man practice squad. The team did not immediately decide to bring back guard Wyatt Davis or linebacker Chazz Surratt, 2021 third-round picks cut Tuesday.
Updated league rules allow up to six veterans to join the practice squad, while 10 spots are reserved for players with no more than two accrued seasons. Players can be elevated to the active game-day roster up to three times throughout the season before they must be signed to the 53-man roster.
Mond, Mannion land elsewhere
The Vikings need a No. 3 quarterback after Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion landed elsewhere.
Mond was claimed off waivers by the Browns on Wednesday. Mannion chose to sign with the Seahawks practice squad. Both were among the Vikings' final cuts Tuesday as the team chose to move forward with quarterback Nick Mullens as the backup to Kirk Cousins.
Mond joins Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, a longtime Vikings assistant, and quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Joshua Dobbs on Cleveland's active roster. Mannion rejoins the Seahawks after spending a month in Seattle during last year's training camp.
Mond and defensive tackle Armon Watts were the only Vikings cuts claimed by other teams. The Bears picked up Watts, who started nine games last year, to keep him in the division. Watts was a surprise release after lining up as a starter throughout training camp.
The Vikings were not awarded any players on waivers, but that does not mean they didn't submit any claims. They were 12th in the priority order.
Blacklock relearning the defense
New defensive lineman Ross Blacklock, acquired Tuesday in a trade with the Texans, wore No. 96 while working off to the side of practice with the team's training staff. He was joined by Chisena (leg), Robinson (undisclosed) and defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard (undisclosed). Blacklock feels strongly about how he fits now that he's reuniting with defensive line coach Chris Rumph, who coached outside linebackers in Houston in 2020.
"He wasn't my coach, but he was in the same defense we're kind of running," Blacklock said. "So it's kind of like a repeat process, so I just got to get back to it and learn the technique stuff that comes with this defense."
Etc.
- Running back Alexander Mattison, cornerback Cameron Dantzler, tackle Vederian Lowe and Nailor were not spotted at Wednesday's practice. Mattison was gone for family reasons, according to the team. First-round safety Lewis Cine (knee) and second-round cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (ankle) returned to practice.
- Tight end Irv Smith Jr., who has been practicing for about a week, was noncommittal Wednesday when asked about being ready for Week 1: "We're just taking it one day at a time, honestly. I just got back out here the past couple days."
- After Smith-Marsette was waived — and before Reagor arrived in Minnesota — Osborn, Thielen, running back Ty Chandler and cornerback Patrick Peterson fielded punt returns in practice.
- Punter Ryan Wright will have to change his No. 66 for the regular season. League rules require quarterbacks, kickers and punters to wear Nos. 1-19.
- Former Gophers and Minneapolis North standout receiver Tyler Johnson was claimed by the Texans after being released by the Buccaneers on Tuesday.
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
