Tackle Aviante Collins among Vikings' cuts down to initial 53-man roster

August 31, 2019 at 10:30PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Vikings' revamped offensive line will not include third-year reserve Aviante Collins, at least for now.

Collins, 26, was informed on Saturday morning that he'll be waived during the Vikings' flurry of roster cuts down to the initial 53-man roster, according to a league source. The source said there's no injury settlement for Collins, who missed the preseason after he was carted off the field during an Aug. 2 training camp practice, meaning he's close to being able to return from a leg injury.

Collins, undrafted in 2017 out of TCU, is a possibility for the practice squad, the source added. He has played guard and tackle, but injuries have undercut his promise. Collins made last year's initial 53-man roster before suffering a torn biceps in the first week of practices.

Another third-year player, defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo, has been told he'll make the initial 53-man roster, a league source said. However, his brother, Tito, will be waived, the source added. Defensive tackle Tito Odenigbo signed as an undrafted free agent out of Miami this spring.

After acquiring cornerback Mark Fields from the Chiefs in a trade for a conditional 2021 seventh-round pick, the Vikings also plan to waive cornerback Craig James and defensive end Karter Schult, according to league sources.

Update: The Vikings announced 32 cuts on Saturday evening.

They are:
P/K Kaare Vedvik
QB Kyle Sloter
QB Jake Browning
WR Laquon Treadwell
WR Brandon Zylstra
WR Alexander Hollins
WR Jeff Badet
WR Davion Davis
WR Dillon Mitchell
FB Khari Blasingame
OT Aviante Collins
OT Nate Wozniak
OT Storm Norton
C Cornelius Edison
C John Keenoy
TE Cole Hikutini
CB Craig James
CB Duke Thomas
DB Nate Meadors
S Derron Smith
S Isaiah Wharton (waived/injured)
LB Cameron Smith
LB Devante Downs
LB Reshard Cliett
LB Greer Martini
DT Tito Odenigbo
DT Curtis Cothran
DE Ade Aruna (waived/injured)
DE Anree Saint-Amour
DE Karter Schult
DE Stacy Keely

A league source told the Star Tribune that Browning, who signed as an undrafted free agent out of Washington for a team-record $140,000 guaranteed, is a favorite for the practice squad. He must clear waivers first.

To clear another roster spot, the Vikings will start the regular season with tight end David Morgan (knee) on the Physically Unable to Perform list, a league source told the Star Tribune.

By NFL rules, Morgan is not eligible to return to practice or games until Week 7. Morgan has been sidelined this offseason due to knee issues, which caused him to miss three games at the end of last season.

about the writer

Andrew Krammer

Reporter

Andrew Krammer covers the Vikings for the Star Tribune, entering his sixth NFL season. From the Metrodome to U.S. Bank Stadium, he's reported on everything from Case Keenum's Minneapolis Miracle, the offensive line's kangaroo court to Adrian Peterson's suspension.

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