EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings have again re-signed cornerback Marcus Sherels, they announced Friday.
The team also announced that cornerback Mike Hughes (neck) has been placed on Injured Reserve.
Sherels is no stranger to the Vikings locker room, as fans well know – although the placement of his locker has now changed a handful of times.
"It feels good. I'm happy to come back and help this team any way I can," Sherels told Twin Cities media members.
The native of Rochester, Minnesota, first signed with his home-state team as an undrafted free agent in 2010 and spent nine consecutive seasons with the Vikings. He stepped in as the Vikings primary punt returner in 2011 and never looked back. From 2011-18, Sherels returned 231 punts for 2,447 yards (10.6 average) and five touchdowns, setting records in all three categories. He also returned 53 kickoffs for 1,350 yards (25.5 average).
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster for the 2019 season.
QB Sean Mannion
QB Sean Mannion
WR Stefon Diggs
WR Stefon Diggs
WR Laquon Treadwell
WR Laquon Treadwell
WR Alexander Hollins
WR Alexander Hollins
G Josh Kline
G Josh Kline
G Pat Elflein
G Pat Elflein
T Aviante Collins
T Aviante Collins
73 G Dru Samia
DE Stephen Weatherly
DE Eddie Yarbrough
DE Eddie Yarbrough
DT Linval Joseph
DT Linval Joseph
LB Kentrell Brothers
LB Kentrell Brothers
CB Xavier Rhodes
CB Xavier Rhodes
CB Trae Waynes
CB Trae Waynes
CB Marcus Sherels
CB Marcus Sherels
CB Nate Meadors
26 CB Nate Meadors
CB Holton Hill
CB Holton Hill
S Andrew Sendejo
S Andrew Sendejo
S Jayron Kearse
S Jayron Kearse
58 LS Austin Cutting
LS Austin Cutting
In 2018, he averaged 12.0 yards per punt return for the Vikings, which included a 70-yard sprint against the Dolphins in Week 15.
Sherels signed with the Saints as a free agent in March of 2019 and spent the offseason and training camp in New Orleans. He was released by the Saints on Sept. 1. The Vikings re-signed Sherels on Sept. 24; he played three games for Minnesota and was released on Oct. 22.
Sherels signed with the Dolphins on Nov. 5 and spent five games with Miami.
He has since been back in Minnesota celebrating the holidays with family and now will join the Vikings in traveling to New Orleans, coincidentally, for Sunday's Wild Card matchup.
Having just arrived at TCO Performance Center Friday morning, he explained that he isn't yet sure what the plan is for his involvement in Sunday's Wild Card matchup.
"But whatever they need me to do, I'll be ready to do it," Sherels assured.
In 128 career games (123 with Minnesota), Sherels has returned 243 punts for 2,503 yards, averaging 10.3 yards per return. He has five career punt returns for touchdowns. In limited time at corner, Sherels has totaled 110 tackles (press box stats), two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit and an interception.
He called this past season a "whirlwind" but in a positive way.
"It's been fun," Sherels said. "I've had a lot of experience outside this building, but everything's kind of come full-circle.
"It means a lot," he later added of being re-signed. "It means that they have a lot of trust in me, and I'm happy to come back and help this team any way I can."
