Due to Bumps and Bruises, Vikings Sign a Pair of Newcomers to Beef Up Depth

A GM’s work is never done.

Nolan Teasley has opted to bring two new ball players to town. The Vikings signed these players to the practice squad. Check out the quick update from the team’s social media: “The #Vikings have signed P Johnny Hekker and RB Jaret Patterson to the practice squad. WR Trayvon Rudolph and CB Bryce Phillips have been released from the practice squad.”

Vikings Sign a Pair to Shore Up Achy Roster Spots

Before considering the players and positions, consider the timing of the deals.

So far, the Vikings have played a pair of games, overcoming the Packers in Week 1 and the Bears in Week 2. These games were rugged and physical, leading to some bumps and bruises along the way. Mr. Teasley has responded in the prophesied manner, bumping up the depth at running back and at punter after some open chatter about that precise possibility.

Consider, as well, that Minnesota will have a bye week in Week 6. In other words, there are three games standing between the Vikings and the week off. These new adds to the practice squad can be bumped up to the active roster three times before Minnesota would then need to sign them to the 53-man roster.

So, there’s some flexibility here.

The Vikings’ coaching staff can opt to reach into the newfound depth over the coming weeks without there needing to be any subtractions from the normal roster. All of the needed subtractions — CB Bryce Phillips and WR Trayvon Rudolph — have already been subtracted.

Back in August, the Vikings opted for rookie UDFA Brett Thorson rather than veteran Johnny Hekker, the man who has just been signed. Seeing the rookie work through a hamstring injury means needing an option for Sunday if the ailment proves too much to overcome.

As most will know, a team only carries a single punter into the game, so whoever is holding down the P1 job needs to be capable of playing the full contest. Hekker arrives with built-in knowledge of the scheme since he spent the offseason in Minnesota.

Meanwhile, the running back spot is working through some renewed importance due to Kevin O’Connell seeing the light. Running the ball, it turns out, is still important. O’Connell is calling games in a manner that acknowledges the reality.

A major part of the problem for the Vikings is that Jordan Mason is now on the IR. Aaron Jones remains, but he’s an older, smaller runner who is coming off a beefy workload in Week 2: 23 carries for 105 yards. The Vikings boast other options — DeeJay Dallas, Demond Claiborne, Jerome Ford, and FB Max Bredeson — but signing Jaret Patterson makes sense. After all, Jones has battled injury in his career, so being proactive is a reasonable call.

The 26-year-old Patterson has been in the NFL since 2021, putting in work for the Commanders and Chargers in his career so far. His 126 career carries have turned into 503 yards (4.0 average) and 3 touchdowns. He boasts 13 career catches for 81 scoreless yards.

Next up for the Vikings is a Week 3 game against the Buccaneers down in Tampa Bay. Look for the Vikings signings on Sunday, with Johnny Hekker having the best shot at being elevated.

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