The Minnesota Vikings announced a flurry of practice-squad moves Wednesday, signing veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and running back DeeJay Dallas while bringing back quarterback Max Brosmer and receiver Dillon Bell.
The move that stands out, however, is one they barely had to announce.
Rookie center Gavin Gerhardt, a seventh-round pick in April, was waived from the practice squad after spending only two days there. Minnesota also waived guard Joshua Gray, offensive lineman Tristan Leigh and outside linebacker Cam’Ron Stewart.
Gerhardt’s NFL story is not necessarily over. Seventh-round picks routinely face an uphill climb, and a team cutting a rookie in September does not make him a failed player forever.
But it is fair to call this a disappointing outcome for the Vikings.
The team used draft capital on Gerhardt, did not keep him on the initial 53-man roster, signed him to the practice squad Monday and then chose to part ways before the regular season even began. The Vikings had every opportunity to retain and develop him in the building. They elected to use that space elsewhere.
That is especially notable given Minnesota’s need at center.
Michael Jurgens is on injured reserve with a designation to return, leaving the Vikings short on experienced interior depth. Gerhardt might have had a path to relevance as a developmental backup behind starting center Blake Brandel. Instead, the Vikings claimed Nick Samac from Carolina, another true center who was PFF’s highest-graded player at the position during the preseason among qualifiers with at least 50 snaps.
They also claimed Trevor Keegan from Dallas. Keegan is primarily a guard but played some center this summer, giving Minnesota another option in the interior.
Those moves told the story before Gerhardt was waived. The Vikings did not even view the rookie as a viable answer to their short-term depth problem.
Joe Huber remains on the active roster, but Minnesota’s decision to add both Samac and Keegan immediately after cutdown day showed it wanted more protection behind its starting interior. Gerhardt was never able to force his way into that conversation.
Again, that does not mean Minnesota made an indefensible selection. Seventh-round picks are long shots, and draft classes need developmental players who may take time. But the Vikings would have hoped their pick could at least survive as a practice-squad prospect, particularly at a position where the roster has a genuine need.
Instead, Gerhardt’s first NFL stop ended before he had a chance to spend a regular-season week with the team.
Van Noy and Dallas Fill the Openings
The Vikings’ larger shuffle also clarified their plans at a pair of veteran positions.
Van Noy signed to the practice squad after visiting the team Tuesday. The 35-year-old gives Minnesota a proven edge-rushing option behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner, and he brings deep familiarity with defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Van Noy played for Flores in New England from 2016 through 2018, winning two Super Bowls, and reunited with him in Miami in 2020. That season, Van Noy recorded 69 tackles, six sacks and six passes defended.
The experienced player can be elevated from the practice squad for the Week 1 game against Green Bay without forcing the Vikings to make an immediate cut on the 53-man roster. Then, the Vikings can still sign him to the 53-man roster at a later point.
Dallas provides additional depth at running back and special teams. The former Seattle fourth-round pick has played in 84 NFL games, with experience as a runner, receiver and kick returner.
Brosmer and Bell also cleared waivers and returned after being released Monday to make room for the claims of Keegan and Samac.
Brosmer’s return preserves Minnesota’s developmental fourth-quarterback plan. Bell remains an interesting young receiver after contributing as both a pass catcher and runner during the preseason.
The Vikings opened the week with 15 practice-squad players, then briefly added Brosmer and Bell back into the fold. Adding Van Noy and Dallas created the need for corresponding moves, and Gerhardt, Gray, Leigh and Stewart were the players squeezed out.
For Gerhardt, that is a harsh welcome to the NFL. A seventh-round pick does not have to become a starter to justify the selection. But sticking around long enough to develop is the first requirement.
The Vikings have already decided to move forward without him. He’ll likely hope to get a practice-squad invite elsewhere.
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