EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Saturday elevated veteran tight end Robert Tonyan and rookie outside linebacker Bo Richter from their practice squad for the Week 3 game against the Houston Texans.
Tonyan, who has previously spent time with Detroit, Green Bay and Chicago, is poised to participate in his first game action with Minnesota. After signing in mid-May, Tonyan impressed during the offseason program but suffered a back injury during a July 31 training camp drill. He worked his way back from that but didn't participate in any preseason contests.
The Illinois native will join Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt at tight end. The Vikings on Wednesday had placed Nick Muse on short-term Injured Reserve while he recovers from a hand injury suffered against San Francisco.
Tonyan brings 85 games of NFL experience to the group. He has totaled 148 receptions for 1,549 yards and 17 touchdowns for Green Bay and Chicago.
Richter joined Minnesota this spring as an undrafted free agent from Air Force.
View photos of Vikings players during practice on September 19 at the TCO Performance Center.
He impressed during preseason games, totaling six tackles, 2.0 sacks, three tackles for loss and three quarterback hits.
The Vikings are without rookie outside linebacker Dallas Turner, who is dealing with a knee injury that occurred in Week 2. Richter will join a group of edge defenders that includes Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, Pat Jones II and Jihad Ward.
