Eagan, Minn. (October 5, 2021) – The Minnesota Vikings have announced the following roster moves:
PLACED ON RESERVE/COVID-19:
NO..... PLAYER.......... POS.... EXP................ COLLEGE
20....... Harrison Hand..... CB......... 2..................... Temple
SIGNED TO PRACTICE SQUAD:
NO..... PLAYER.......... POS.... EXP................ COLLEGE
50....... T.J. Smith............ DT......... 1.................. Arkansas
Smith (6-3, 303) joins the Vikings after spending all of the 2020 season (practice squad) and the 2021 offseason and training camp with the Los Angeles Chargers before being released on August 25, 2021. The Moultrie, Georgia, native, who originally joined the Chargers as an undrafted free agent, played four seasons at Arkansas, seeing action in 40 games and starting 24 at defensive tackle. The 2018 SEC Community Service Team member finished his career with 75 total tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. Smith and Vikings DT Armon Watts were both part of the Razorbacks defensive line from 2015-18. Following Watts' departure in 2018, Smith went on to post career highs in tackles for loss (4.0) and sacks (2.5) during his final year at Arkansas.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of Jan. 5, 2022.