The Minnesota Vikings are getting some players back from injury at the right time. since the kickoff of the 2024 NFL season is less than 20 days away. On Monday, the team got cornerback Shaquill Griffin back on the practice field but now another experienced player is getting back on the field.
This offseason, the Vikings signed tight end Robert Tonyan. That name might be familiar to football fans of the NFC North or fantasy football players since he has now spent time with all four teams that play within the division.
Making the 53-man roster at tight end is going to be a challenge this year. Even though T.J. Hockenson is likely to start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, there is a lot of competition for roster spots at that position.
Another injured Vikings player returned to the team's practice on Tuesday
Recently, Tonyan has been struggling with back spasms that have kept him out of practice for nearly three weeks. On Tuesday, Star Tribune beat writer Ben Goessling shared that the veteran tight end returned to practice although he was not a full participant.
Robert Tonyan was an undrafted free agent in 2017 out of Indiana State who signed with the Detroit Lions but was released before the start of the season. He was picked up by the Green Bay Packers and joined their practice squad. He stayed there through the 2022 season when he signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears.
In his career, Tonyan has played in 85 games, starting 24 of those. He had a breakout year in 2020 when he caught 52 passes for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns while with the Packers but has struggled to recreate that success in the following seasons.
The 30-year-old tight end will need to have an impressive finish to the preseason to latch on to the 53-man roster. He is battling Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, N'Keal Harry, Sammis Reyes, and Trey Knox for what might only be three or four spots on the 53-man roster.
Perhaps Tonyan will be able to suit up for the Minnesota Vikings' final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles and make a great impression on the coaching staff. The clock is ticking for players hoping to make the final roster and time will tell if Robert Tonyan has done enough to stick around for the 2024 NFL season.
