Minnesota Vikings' Roster-Trimming

This is a brutal day for many of those with NFL dreams. This is the day that all 32 teams have to get their rosters down to 53 players. The hacked-up offseason and training camp due to a global pandemic made the task of making a roster even more difficult. There were no offseaon workouts. There was no gradual introduction to the NFL. League policies introduced to limit the number of people in team facilities called for a roster reduction from 90 to 80 players prior to the start of training camp. Before they even had a chance to show what they could do, 10 players from each team were released. About 2880 players were supposed to get their NFL shot. About 2560 actually did. Those that did make the 80-man rosters had a different sort of training camp. Fewer real football practices, no preseason games. The rookies, in particular, had limited opportunities to show what they can do. "It is what it is." That ridiculous cliche has rarely felt more appropriate. All 32 teams have until 4pm Eastern time to trim their rosters to 53 players.

The Minnesota Vikings started their roster-trimming early. On Wednesday, they released the following players. 

RB Tony Brooks-James

LB Jordan Fehr

DE Stacy Keely

DE Anthony Zettel

Seventh-round rookie defensive end Kenny Willekes was placed on injured reserve. He suffered a knee injury during last Friday's practice at US Bank Stadium. The knee injury is reportedly a torn ACL. His rookie season now becomes one of rehabbing and learning.

With linebacker Ben Gedeon's uncertain status on the PUP list, Wednesday's moves have the Vikings' roster at 75 or 76 players. So, they have to trim 22 or 23 more players over the next few hours.

The good news for those on the wrong side of the roster-trimming is that size of the practice squad has been increased to 16 players. There's also room for as many as four veterans (4+ years). While it may be a brutal day, it isn't the end of these football dreams.