By: J.J. Pavlick | New York, NY | August 24, 2026 |
EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings added two familiar names to their depth chart on Monday, bringing back defensive lineman Jonathan Harris and tight end Matt Lauter as training camp roster movement continued. The team waived defensive lineman Taki Taimani and rookie cornerback Tyreek Chappell, both with injury designations, to make room for the returning pair.
Jonathan Harris Returns to Vikings
Harris, 30, reenters the building after spending the 2025 season on Minnesota’s practice squad. The 6‑foot‑5, 295‑pound lineman has carved out a journeyman NFL career since entering the league as an undrafted free agent with Chicago in 2019. His most productive stretch came in Denver, where he logged 43 tackles and a sack across 17 games in 2023. Harris has appeared in 40 career games with stops in Chicago, Denver, Miami, Carolina, and Minnesota, offering veteran experience to a defensive line that has added youth through draft picks Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange, as well as offseason acquisition Isaiahh Loudermilk.
Lauter Signs After Stint in Las Vegas and Tennessee
Lauter returns after earning a tryout invitation during Vikings Rookie Minicamp in May. The Boise State product built a strong collegiate résumé, highlighted by a breakout junior season in which he led the Mountain West in receiving touchdowns among tight ends and earned First‑Team all‑conference honors. Across his Broncos career, Lauter totaled 1,146 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, ranking third all‑time among Boise State tight ends. After brief offseason stints with the Raiders and Titans, he now gets another opportunity to compete for a role in Minnesota’s tight end room.
The Vikings continue to churn the back end of their roster as preseason winds down, with Harris and Lauter rejoining the team at a critical evaluation point.
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