Vikings Announce Five Practice Squad Signings

Minnesota’s practice squad now includes:

1. T Jack Nelson
2. WR Michael Briscoe
3. S Tavierre Thomas
4. DB Da’Veawn Armstead
5. LB Bangally Kamara
6. G Henry Byrd
7. DL Jahvaree Ritzie
8. TE Cam Grandy
9. WR Dillon Bell
10. RB DeeJay Dallas
11. LB Jihad Ward
12. DB Maceo Beard
13. LB Kenny Dyson
14. P Johnny Hekker
15. RB Audric Estime
16. RB Devin Neal
17. OLB Keshawn Banks
18. G Josh Priebe

Neal, 23, was a sixth-round pick by the Saints in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Kansas. He signed a four-year, $4,451,312 rookie deal through 2028 that included a $251,312 signing bonus and made a base salary of $840k in 2025 but was let go shortly after roster cuts this year.

In 2025, Neal appeared in 10 games for the Saints and rushed 57 times for 206 yards (3.6 YPC) and two touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 104 yards.

Hekker, 36, wound up signing on with the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State back in 2012. He was in the fourth year of his seven-year, $18.57 million contract when the Rams signed him to a two-year, $9.6 million extension through 2022 back in 2017. 

He then signed a one-year extension worth $4.25 million with the team back in 2019 which extended his contract into the 2023 NFL season, but was cut loose in 2022 and later signed a three-year, $7.6 million deal that included $5 million guaranteed with the Panthers.

He signed a one-year deal with the Titans for the 2025 season and had inked a one-year deal with the Vikings for 2026 but was let go after camp. Minnesota signed him to their active roster last week. 

In 2026, Hekker has appeared in one game for the Vikings and recorded eight punts for 372 yards (46.5 YPP) and downed two punts inside the 20.