EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings are moving on from former first-round pick Lewis Cine and speedy running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu.
The team announced both players were among their final cuts Tuesday as they trimmed their roster down to 53.
Cine, a once promising young safety out of Georgia, suffered a serious leg injury during his rookie season in 2022 that required multiple surgeries before he was able to return to the field. Despite his recovery, the injury set his development back and he was never able to find a consistent role with the defense. He appeared in just 10 games — primarily on special teams — and recorded one assisted tackle.
Cine showed some flashes in the preseason, including an 11-tackle, one-sack and one-interception performance against the Cleveland Browns, but it wasn't enough to land him a spot on the team's 53-man roster.
Perhaps the biggest surprise among Tuesday's cuts was Nwangwu, who has been one of the more electric kick returners since entering the league as a fourth-round draft pick in 2021. While he was used sparingly in the backfield, he was a home run hitter for the Vikings on kick returns. He has three career kickoff returns for touchdowns, and was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2022. He averaged 27.6 yards per return in his first three seasons.
It is unclear whether Cine or Nwangwu could resurface via the practice squad.
The Vikings also cut ties with running back Myles Gaskin on Tuesday, leaving Minnesota with just Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler and fullback C.J. Ham out of the backfield. The Vikings will almost certainly add another running back in the coming days, perhaps one with some experience in the return game.
Also among Tuesday's cuts were veteran cornerback Bobby McCain, defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy, and linebackers Andre Carter II and Bo Richter, who led the team with a pair of sacks apiece in the preseason. Undrafted rookies Dwight McGlothern and Taki Tiamani, however, parlayed their strong summers into roster spots.
On the offensive side, the Vikings are keeping receivers Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson and Trent Sherfield Sr. to accompany Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The team will also go with three quarterbacks — Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall.
The Vikings also officially announced they will keep tight end T.J. Hockenson on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, and hang on to Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse. Former Packer Robert Tonyan was among the tight ends who did not make the cut.
Other notable injury-related moves included offensive lineman Dalton Risner and linebacker Gabriel Murphy, who were placed on injured reserve with a designation to return. That means both will be out the first four weeks of the season.
The Vikings will have a chance to add some of the cut players to their practice squad, but not before all of the 31 additional NFL teams have the opportunity to sign them before Wednesday. At that point Minnesota is allowed to make an offer.
VIKINGS 53-MAN ROSTER
Quarterback: Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall
Running back: Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler
Fullback: C.J. Ham
Wide receiver: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson, Trent Sherfield Sr.
Tight end: Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse
Offensive line: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O'Neill, Blake Brandel, Ed Ingram, Garrett Bradbury, Dan Feeney, Michael Jurgens, Walter Rouse, David Quessenberry
Defensive line: Harrison Phillips, Jerry Tillery, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Jonathan Bullard, Taki Tiamami, Jalen Redmond
Linebacker: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., Dallas Turner, Andrew Van Ginkel, Pat Jones, Jonathan Greenard, Brian Asamoah II, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Jihad Ward
Cornerback: Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr., Shaquill Griffin, Dwight McGlothern, Fabian Moreau, Akayleb Evans
Safety: Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
Kicker: Will Reichard
Punter: Ryan Wright
Long snapper: Andrew DePaola
