Did Lewis Cine Just Take His Roster Spot Back?

It’s been a difficult training camp and preseason for Minnesota Vikings former first round pick, Lewis Cine. He’s used to that, being his two-year NFL career has been marred by injury and an inability to impress those in charge, while on it.

Entering Saturday’s preseason game vs the Cleveland Browns, Cine a guaranteed lock to be cut from the Vikings roster, when they trim down from 90 to 53, later this month. Unfortunately, that’s what happens when you’re the fifth or sixth safety down an NFL depth chart.

Lewis Cine trying to save his job with the Minnesota Vikings

But… that was this morning. And time changes things. Even if it’s only a short amount of time. Because Lewis Cine wasn’t just impressive in the Vikings 27-12 win in Cleveland today.

The 24-year-old out of Georgia looked fast, dynamic, opportunistic… and his hits were bone crushing. When the dust settled on Saturday evening, Cine finished with 11 tackles, a sack, a pass defended, and an interception.

In other words, Lewis Cine was everything on Saturday, that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hoped he would be when drafting him No. 32 overall in 2022. What does this mean for the future of Cine in purple?

Related: Minnesota Vikings’ to Pursue Top Wide Receiver Next Offseason?

Did he save his roster spot today vs the Cleveland Browns? That’s yet to be “Cine”. But one thing is for sure. After the work he put on tape today, if the Minnesota Vikings do dump him on the curb, there are sure to be teams swinging through to give him another opportunity.

There’s only so much we can take from a preseason game, but Brian Flores’ defense looked impressive again today, even aside from Lewis Cine’s performance. Again, how much does that mean for what we will see vs the New York Giants in week one of the regular season? Probably nothing… but it’s fun to hope, right?

More must-reads:

• Ed Ingram is Definitely in Danger of Losing His Job
• Justin Jefferson Proves He’s That Teammate During Vikings vs Raiders