Vikings Suddenly Release 26-Year-Old Defender on Saturday

The Minnesota Vikings parted ways with cornerback Natrone Brooks on Saturday, releasing him from the practice squad amid a series of roster adjustments ahead of their matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, the team announced.

Brooks, 26, arrived in Minnesota earlier this month after a brief stay on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad.

The Vikings first signed the undrafted free agent out of Southern Miss on October 1 to fill a vacancy created when outside linebacker Jihad Ward was claimed by the New York Giants.

He was released five days later during a broader set of transactions that also involved punter Johnny Hekker and running back Devin Neal, then re-signed on October 20 for a second stint on the unit.

Saturday’s move ends that second run after just four days.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound defensive back from Starkville, Mississippi, began his professional career with the Atlanta Falcons after going undrafted in 2023.

He spent the bulk of his first two seasons on Atlanta’s practice squad before earning a spot on the 53-man roster in November 2024.

Brooks appeared in nine games that year and played in all 17 contests in 2025, recording his lone career start.

Across those 26 regular-season appearances, he logged 15 tackles, one quarterback hit, and three passes defended while contributing extensively on special teams, including 16 kickoff returns for 310 yards.

His NFL path has been defined by the familiar cycle of practice-squad elevations, short-term roster spots, and subsequent releases.

After the Falcons waived him at the end of the 2025 preseason, Brooks caught on briefly with Detroit before landing in Minnesota.

The Vikings’ secondary under defensive coordinator Brian Flores has frequently sought depth pieces capable of contributing on the third phase, a role Brooks filled during his time with Atlanta.

His release clears a practice-squad spot as the team activates running back Jordan Mason and brings DeeJay Dallas back to the developmental roster.

For Brooks, the latest transaction continues a career spent largely on the margins of active rosters.

Undrafted players who develop special-teams utility often cycle through multiple organizations in search of a more stable opportunity, and Brooks’ recent movement between Atlanta, Detroit, and Minnesota fits that pattern.

Whether another club claims him or he remains available for a future practice-squad signing remains to be seen as the league’s midseason roster churn continues.