Vikings Roster Moves: Signed Jake Gervase, Released N'Keal Harry

The Vikings have signed safety Jake Gervase and released wide receiver N'Keal Harry, the team announced on Thursday.

Harry was signed earlier this month. The 25-year-old former first-round pick has excellent size at 6'3", 228 pounds, but a recent injury derailed his chances of competing to make the Vikings' roster.

Harry had two catches for 24 yards in Minnesota's preseason opener and looked like a possible red zone threat for their offense. Unfortunately, he picked up a soft tissue injury in his lower body during warmups before the second preseason game this past Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium. That was going to keep him out for this week's finale against the Cardinals as well.

With the Vikings having a loaded wide receiver room, Harry was always facing an uphill battle to make the team, and this injury spelled the end of his chance.

Taking his spot on the roster, less than a week before cutdown day, is a totally different type of player. Gervase, who turns 28 next month, is a linebacker/safety hybrid who spent five seasons at Iowa, racking up 7 interceptions and 141 tackles over his final two seasons as a Hawkeye. He went undrafted in 2019 and was signed by the Rams, where he spent the last four seasons.

In L.A., Gervase played 444 special teams snaps over four years, 301 of which came in 2022. He has played just 14 defensive snaps in his NFL career. Gervase also spent significant time on the Rams' practice squad. He was active on special teams for all four of the Rams' postseason games in 2021, when they won the Super Bowl with Kevin O'Connell as the offensive coordinator.

Gervase will look to make a quick impression on the Vikings on special teams.

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