Active Roster Carousel Continues

The Vikings are making several personnel moves this week, which is nothing new for this team that has been experiencing a rash of injuries all season long — yet remains tied for the division lead with a 3-1 record.

The carousel of players continues for the Vikings.

Tuesday, the Vikings got the ball rolling, as several players were added, dropped and shuffled from a lineup that has been far from 100 percent all season.

The first move was bringing Ryan Hoag from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Hoag, a Gustavus Adolphus graduate who made headlines when he was the last pick of the draft and earned the dubious title "Mr. Irrelevant," is expected to take the place of Keenan Howry, who will likely be placed on injured reserve this week.

But the moves didn’t stop there. With depth concerns at both center and cornerback, the Vikings re-signed veterans Billy Conaty and Derek Ross. While neither is expected to see action this Sunday, both are expected to get chances to compete. Conaty will back up Matt Birk, who is expected to return to full-time duty Sunday, while Ross is going to challenge Ralph Brown for the dime back position in the secondary on passing downs.

To make room for the two of them, the Vikings released linebacker Max Yates and cornerback Rushen Jones.

The NFL allows teams to have 53 men on the active roster, but, as the Vikings have more than proved this year, which 53 players isn’t always a certainty, and they have been forced to make sure those 53 people aren’t the same 53 from one week to the next.

WEDNESDAY NOTES
* Hoag was selected over practice squad wide receiver Ben Nelson because of his abilities in the return game, a job that had been held by Howry.
* In yet another roster move, the Vikings released tight end J.P. Foschi from the practice squad and signed WR Aaron Hosack.
* Michael Bennett is scheduled to get the stitches removed from his right knee today and is still targeting the game with the Titans Oct. 24 for his return.