2 Last-Minute Roster Moves for Vikings before Playoffs

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The playoffs are here for the Minnesota Vikings, taking on the Los Angeles Rams in Arizona on Monday night in the Wildcard Round.

Vikings Roster Undergoes 2 Last-Minute Tweaks before Playoffs

The NFL shifted the contest from Los Angeles to Glendale, Arizona, because of Southern California wildfires.

And with the game mere hours away, the Vikings announced two roster moves, signing offensive tackle Marcellus Johnson to the practice squad and ruling out defensive tackle Taki Taimani. The team tweeted, “The Vikings have signed T Marcellus Johnson to the practice squad. DL Taki Taimani has been downgraded to OUT and remains in his 21-day practice window.”

Marcellus Johnson Signed to PS

Johnson joined the NFL nine months ago as an undrafted free agent, unearthed by the New York Giants. He spent all offseason in New York, participating in training camp and three preseason games. He also made the cut for the team’s practice squad during roster trimdowns three weeks ago, but the Giants said sayonara on September 11th.

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He then signed with the Vikings in September as a member of the practice squad — just like this time — but didn’t last long. But Johnson is back and may be an OT depth piece that Minnesota enjoys for the future.

Johnson attended Eastern Michigan University and the University of Missouri. Lucas Drengwitz of nchsinkspot.com wrote about Johnson in May, “Those seasons drew the attention of Eastern Michigan, where Johnson started all but one game during his final three seasons as an Eagle, earning Academic All-MAC honors three times during his time in Ypsilanti.”

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These are the Vikings OTs with Johnson in the mix:

Brian O’Neill

Cam Robinson

David Quessenberry

Walter Rouse

Christian Darrisaw (IR)

Leroy Watson (Practice Squad)

Marcellus Johnson (Practice Squad)

Trevor Reid (Futures Deal)

Taki Taimani = Out

Taimani has battled an ankle injury since early November, missing every game since.