On Thursday, the Minnesota Vikings announced they signed two former Minnesota Golden Gophers players to their 90-man roster. The move comes less than a week before the Vikings must trim their roster to 53 players by Aug. 27.
The Vikings released a statement stating that they waived two players to make the acquisitions. They waived tight end Trey Knox with an injury designation and waived cornerback Jacobi Francis.
The Minnesota Vikings signed Chuck Filiaga
The Vikings added former Golden Gophers offensive lineman Chuck Filiaga:
Filiaga (pronounced fil-ee-ONG-uh) is a former Michigan Wolverine (2017-21) and Minnesota Golden Gopher (2022). He is joining the Vikings after playing for the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas this spring. Filiaga started seven of 10 games played for the Brahmas, coached by Wade Phillips, the former NFL coach and father of Vikings Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips.
Last year, Filiaga joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent. He also spent time with the Saints during their 2023 training camp.
The Vikings signed Mo Ibrahim
Filiaga spent time at Minnesota with running back Mo Ibrahim in 2022. The Vikings signed Ibrahim on Thursday. Per the statement, Ibrahim had brief experience in the league before suffering an injury last season:
Ibrahim joined the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2023, but he suffered an injury during the preseason that sidelined him before he rejoined Detroit’s practice squad last October.
Ibrahim was elevated for Detroit’s Oct. 22 game at Baltimore and returned one kickoff for 22 yards but suffered a hip dislocation during the play. He left the game on a cart but remained determined to work his way back.
Ibrahim was a star with the Golden Gophers
Ibrahim had an incredible career with the Golden Gophers. He broke the school’s record for career rushing yards with 4,668 yards and has the school’s record for rushing and total touchdowns with 53 touchdowns.
Ibrahim and Filiaga probably won’t be competing for a chance to make the 53-man roster next week. However, they could impress the Vikings’ coaching staff enough to make them a priority to sign up for the practice squad.
Ibrahim appears to have a lot of potential. He could be a player the Vikings want to elevate during the regular season.
