EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Thursday signed linebacker Jabril Cox and cornerback Jacobi Francis after both participated in tryouts Wednesday.
The pair joined Minnesota the day after the team's first practice of 2024 training camp in which second-year cornerback Mekhi Blackmon suffered a torn ACL.
Blackmon was placed on Injured Reserve, delaying his opportunity to build on a promising rookie campaign. He recorded eight passes defensed, an interception and a fumble recovery in 15 games (three starts) last season.
Additionally, the Vikings waived undrafted rookie linebacker K.J. Cloyd.
Cox has appeared in 26 NFL games with Dallas and Washington since 2021 when he joined the Cowboys as a fourth-round pick. He has played 46 defensive snaps and 511 special teams snaps in the NFL.
The 26-year-old from Kansas City, Missouri, began his college career at North Dakota State, where he helped the Bison go 45-1 and win three consecutive FCS championships from 2017-19. Cox was a graduate transfer to LSU in 2020.
He started all 10 games for the Tigers in 220, ranking third on the team with 58 tackles and added 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack and three interceptions.
Francis has previously stepped on the practice fields at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
The Memphis product and native of Covington, Georgia, was invited to participate in this year's rookie minicamp on a pro tryout basis.
Francis appeared in five games for the Texans in 2022, logging 76 snaps and one tackle on special teams. He joined Houston as an undrafted free agent after spending 2016-21 with the Tigers.
At Memphis, Francis appeared in 61 games and recorded 129 tackles (103 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of October 30, 2024.