Vikings Sign WR N’Keal Harry To Practice Squad
N’Keal Harry was let go by the Vikings not long before last week’s roster cutdowns. The former first-round receiver is back with the organization, however. Harry has signed with Minnesota’s practice squad, per a team announcement. 
After suffering an injury in warmups before a preseason contest, the Vikings waived Harry with an injury designation. The 25-year-old went unclaimed, to no surprise, and he was not picked up on any teams’ active rosters or taxi squads as a free agent. Given today’s news, he can now resume his role as a developmental project for the Vikings.
Harry entered the league with high expectations as a Day 1 selection, but his time with the Patriots did not produce consistent production. The Arizona State alum’s best year came in 2020, when he posted a 33-309-2 statline. His playing time fluctuated in New England, though, and injuries have hindered his development.
Chicago traded for him last summer in an effort to revive his career and give the team some upside in its receiving corps. An injury delayed his Bears debut, however, and Harry was limited to seven games played and only seven receptions. His latest deal with an NFC North outfit could see him elevated to the active roster on gamedays depending on Minnesota’s depth chart at the receiver spot.
Starting roles are in place for Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn, as well as first-round rookie Jordan Addison. If healthy, Harry could play his way into a complimentary role if he remains in the Vikings’ organization long enough. Of course, he will be free to sign with another team’s active roster while he remains on Minnesota’s taxi squad, though.
In a corresponding move to the Harry signing, undrafted rookie center Alan Ali was released from the practice squad.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC North
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings moves are noted below.
Chicago Bears
Placed on IR:
- G Teven Jenkins (story)
Signed:
- WR Trent Taylor
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Micah Baskerville, DL Travis Bell, FB Robert Burns, TE Stephen Carlson, OL Aviante Collins, LB DeMarquis Gates, DL Jalen Harris, OL Roy Mbaeteka, DB Greg Stroman, WR Nsimba Webster, DB Kendall Williamson
Detroit Lions
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Maurice Alexander, G Kayode Awosika, K Michael Badgley (story), WR Dylan Drummond, T Connor Galvin, S Brandon Joseph, RB Zonovan Knight, CB Chase Lucas, LB Trevor Nowaske, T Max Pircher, DL Chris Smith
Green Bay Packers
Claimed:
- DB Zayne Anderson, TE Ben Sims
Released:
- LB Tariq Carpenter, DL Jonathan Ford
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- TE Austin Allen, CB Corey Ballentine, LB Keshawn Banks, WR Grant DuBose, C James Empey, S Innis Gaines, QB Alex McGough, WR Bo Melton, LB Arron Mosby, LB Kenneth Odumegwu, FB Henry Pearson, S Benny Sapp III, DL Chris Slayton, RB Patrick Taylor, T Kadeem Telfort, CB Kiondre Thomas
Minnesota Vikings
Placed on IR:
- RB Kene Nwangwu
Claimed:
Waived:
- WR Jalen Reagor (story)
Signed to practice squad:
-
OL Alan Ali, CB C.J. Coldon, DT Sheldon Day, WR Trishton Jackson, WR Lucky Jackson, RB DeWayne McBride, DL T.J. Smith, WR Thayer Thomas, LB Luiji Vilain, LB Benton Whitley, CB Jaylin Williams, CB Joejuan Williams
Vikings Sign 15 UDFAs
The Vikings have officially added to their six-man draft class, announcing the signing of 15 undrafted free agents last night. Here is the list of undrafted rookies who will be given an opportunity in Minnesota this summer:
- C Alan Ali, TCU
- DT Calvin Avery, Illinois
- LB Abraham Beauplan, Marshall
- OLB Andre Carter II, Army
- OL Jacky Chen, Pace
- CB C.J. Coldon, Oklahoma
- LB Wilson Huber, Cincinnati
- WR Cephus Johnson, Southeastern Louisiana
- WR Malik Knowles, Kansas State
- LB Ivan Pace, Cincinnati
- K Jack Podlesny, Georgia
- TE Ben Sims, Baylor
- WR Thayer Thomas, NC State
- CB NaJee Thompson, Georgia Southern
- CB Jaylin Williams, Indiana
The team has also invited Ouachita Baptist running back T.J. Cole to rookie minicamp, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The former-Tiger was also invited to go to Philadelphia for the Eagles’ rookie minicamp, as well.
Minnesota was able to nab the 2022 AAC Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American linebacker in Cincinnati’s Pace. He’ll have the opportunity to continue working alongside his former teammate, Huber, in rookie minicamp.
The Vikings brought in some strong pass catchers in Knowles, Thomas, and Sims. Johnson will look to continue developing as a receiver. He spent time at Southeastern Louisiana as both a backup quarterback and wide receiver, although he only had three catches in college. They also added a few defensive backs with ball skills in Coldon, Thompson, and Williams. Thompson didn’t have the interception totals of Coldon and Williams, but after playing both sides of the ball, he should have the hands to start turning deflections into picks.
Podlesny is an intriguing addition for Minnesota. The Vikings re-signed incumbent kicker Greg Joseph after a season that saw him miss seven field goals attempts, six of which were attempts over 50 yards. Joseph’s new deal is only for one year, though, leaving an opportunity for a potential kicking competition. Podlesny provides Minnesota with a second kicking option, but after not attempting a field goal over 50 yards in all of 2022, it’s to be determined if Podlesny represents a potential improvement.