Vikings release several top preseason performers at Tuesday's deadline to set initial roster

The Vikings began releasing players Tuesday morning ahead of the 3 p.m. deadline to set an initial 53-man roster. Here's a running list of players who have been informed they'll be let go, according to league sources. Some may return Wednesday when the Vikings can form a 16-man practice squad; up to six players can have over two years of experience. First, players without four years of experience are subject to being claimed by another team on waivers.
Here's the initial 53-man roster announced Tuesday afternoon.
Released
DT Esezi Otomewo
DT Sheldon Day
DT Ross Blacklock
DT T.J. Smith
OLB Luiji Vilain
OLB Benton Whitley
ILB Abraham Beauplan
CB Joejuan Williams
CB Jaylin Williams
WR Trishton Jackson
WR Thayer Thomas
WR Jacob Copeland
WR Lucky Jackson
WR Blake Proehl
RB Aaron Dykes
RB DeWayne McBride
TE Ben Sims
TE Colin Thompson
G Jack Snyder
G Alan Ali
Guard Chris Reed is expected to remain on the reserve/non-football injury list after suffering a leg injury away from the facility this summer, a source said. He'll transition from the active/NFI list and free up a roster spot.
The Vikings also parted ways with 15 players on Monday.
Otomewo, the former Gophers defender and fifth-round pick, is the second member of the Vikings' 2022 draft class who won't make the initial 53-man roster. Tackle Vederian Lowe, a sixth-round pick, was traded to the Patriots on Sunday night for a 2024 sixth-round pick.
Vilain, undrafted out of Wake Forest last year, was a priority rookie free agent who was guaranteed $227,000 to sign. He made last year's 53-man roster, but Vikings coaches lauded depth at the position this summer which included this year's top undrafted rookie, Andre Carter II. Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones II are locks.
A source said cornerback NaJee Thompson, the undrafted product from Georgia Southern, has been informed he'll make the 53-man roster. Thompson was an immediate standout on special teams before suffering a concussion in the Aug. 19 exhibition against the Titans.
Thompson will take a spot freed up by Williams, who got first-team reps early in camp as the No. 3 cornerback. But those snaps quickly went to rookie corner Mekhi Blackmon. Williams, the former Patriots second-round pick, then worked with the second-team defense opposite Andrew Booth Jr.
There was a Williams sister out there in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night, much to the delight of spectators who offered a standing ovation at the end of the match. Except this time it was Venus, not Serena, and there was no ceremony, no formal farewell — and, unlike a year ago, no indication of what the future might hold.

Latest Player Notes

How a Wisconsin legend got his German protégé into Badgers pro day

Mar 15, 2024 Marlon Werthmann put his life on hold for the opportunity in front of him Friday at the McClain Center.Werthmann ...

Why former Wisconsin football running back Braelon Allen didn't run the 40 at pro day

Mar 15, 2024 Braelon Allen’s sweat covered his shirt and dripped off his beard as he approached a group of reporters Friday.The ...

How can UW recruit its best class ever? It starts with these five prospects

By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter Jedd Fisch has lofty recruiting goals at Washington. He didn’t waste any ...

Texas football kicks off spring practice Tuesday. We answer 24 questions for the 2024 team

Things certainly look fresh for the 2024 college football season, especially on the Texas campus.There’s a new conference ...

College Football Playoff: Conferences solve their differences (for now) and agree on general framework for 2026 and beyond

The FBS conferences and Notre Dame agreed on Friday to continue the College Football Playoff beyond the 2025 season, signing ...

Ball security, leadership key as Aztecs look to identify starting quarterback

San Diego State seemingly auditions a new starting quarterback on an annual basis.In the past 12 years, the Aztecs have opened ...

Results and more: A look at what happened at Penn State football’s Pro Day inside Holuba Hall

Most of those at Penn State’s Pro Day Friday were relatively quiet throughout the afternoon’s workouts, but there was one ...

Defense dominates first two weeks of Oregon State spring practice as Beavers ready for 2-week breather

CORVALLIS – Oregon State hit the break of spring practices Saturday, not exactly the midpoint but a good place to assess ...

Dillon Gabriel to have similar input, autonomy as Bo Nix had in Oregon’s offense

Published Mar. 16, 2024, 6:26 p.m.By James CrepeaEUGENE — Dillon Gabriel will have much of the same autonomy as Bo Nix did ...

Two transfers, one underclassman who impressed in Missouri football's spring game

With that, spring camp’s a wrap.Missouri football held its Black & Gold spring game Saturday in front of a healthy crowd ...
See More Player Notes