The Vikings promoted rookie defensive end B.J. DuBose to the 53-man roster on Wednesday and signed rookie defensive tackle Toby Johnson to the practice squad.
To make room for the roster moves, tight end Rhett Ellison was placed on the injured reserve. Ellison tore the patellar tendon in his right knee during Sunday's 20-13 victory at Green Bay.
DuBose, a sixth-round draft pick by the Vikings, spent the season on the practice squad. He appeared in 44 games and played 20 games at Louisville. He was an All-ACC honorable mention as a senior with 41 tackles, four sacks and 7.5 tackles for a loss.
Johnson originally signed with Tennessee as an undrafted free agent out Georgia following the 2015 draft. He's also spent time with Chicago and Jacksonville's practice squads this season.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday that he expects tight end MyCole Pruitt to take a bigger role in Ellison's absence. Zimmer added that Pruitt has made strides in his blocking ability throughout the season, an area where the Vikings relied heavily on Ellison.
