Despite reports that the Vikings are “cautiously optimistic” about Sam Bradford‘s ailing knee, the team has still made a move to add depth at the position. According to Miles Garrett of FOX5News in Atlanta on Twitter (and later confirmed by the team), the Vikings have signed quarterback Kyle Sloter to the active roster. To make room, the team has waived safety Antone Exum.
Sloter, an undrafted rookie out of Northern Colorado, signed with the Broncos following the draft, but he was waived by the organization earlier this month. He subsequently signed with the Vikings practice squad with the understanding that he was effectively going to be the organization’s third quarterback.
The 23-year-old’s collegiate career was limited, as he served as a reserve for Southern Miss and Northern Colorado between 2013 and 2015. However, he had a breakout campaign in 2016, completing 62.1-percent of his passes for 2,656 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. If Bradford was forced to miss anytime, Sloter would presumably be the backup behind Case Keenum.
We learned yesterday that Bradford was dealing with “swelling, pain and discomfort” in the same left knee that had been repaired for torn ACLs in 2013 and 2014. While the team has their concerns, there’s still optimism that he’ll play this Sunday against the Steelers. Bradford had a standout performance in Week 1, completing 27 of his 32 attempts for 346 yards and three touchdowns.
Exum Jr. had spent the first three-plus seasons of his career in Minnesota after being selected in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. The 26-year-old has served mostly as a reserve and special teamer, compiling 19 tackles and one forced fumble in 27 career games (two starts). He was waived/injured in 2016 after suffering a leg injury, and he ultimately landed on the team’s injured reserve. The Vikings are stuck with nearly $29K in dead money following his release.
