Minnesota Vikings Cut Bait with RB, Sign TE to Active Roster

The Minnesota Vikings are getting ready to board their flight to London in preparation of their Week 5 matchup versus the New York Jets. While the latest Vikings injury report indicates Kevin O’Connell’s team is fairly healthy for the trip across the pond, there are some changes coming to the roster.

Related: 4 Bold Predictions for Minnesota Vikings’ Week 5 Matchup vs Jets

Minnesota Vikings release Myles Gaskin, sign Robert Tonyan to active roster

On Thursday, the Minnesota Vikings announced that they’ve released running back Myles Gaskin from the active roster. In a corresponding move, the Vikings have signed Robert Tonyan Jr, from their practice squad to the active roster. Tonyan is expected to fill the third tight end role on Sunday, spelling Josh Oliver and Josh Mundt.

Since the move leaves the Vikings with just two running backs on the 53-man roster, expectations are that Gaskin will return to the team in some capacity, likely on the practice squad. In that scenario, he’d simply be swapping places with Tonyan. The Vikings also have running back Zavier Scott on the practice squad, though the second-year undrafted pro has never appeared in an NFL game.

T.J. Hockenson’s practice window was opened on Wednesday . However, he won’t be playing on Sunday. He’ll have 21 days to get up to full speed, and the Vikings can activate him to the roster at any point. Yet, Tonyan’s promotion to the active roster suggests it could be another week or two before the Vikings’ Pro Bowl tight end returns.

With a bye coming up after the Jets, Hockenson could be targeting a return for Sunday, October 6 , in a revenge matchup versus the Detroit Lions.

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More must-reads:

• NFL Expert Kevin Durant Believes in the Minnesota Vikings and Sam Darnold
• TJ Hockenson is Officially Back at Minnesota Vikings Practice – What You Need to Know
• Minnesota Vikings Injury Report – Week 5 (Thursday)