Inside The Vikings

Vikings Waive OL Sam Schlueter, Opening Up Roster Spot

Schlueter was waived with a non-football illness. Will the Vikings use the roster spot on Dalton Risner?
Will Ragatz|
Vikings Waive OL Sam Schlueter, Opening Up Roster Spot
Vikings Waive OL Sam Schlueter, Opening Up Roster Spot

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Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings waived offensive lineman Sam Schlueter with a non-football illness designation on Wednesday, creating an open spot on their 90-man roster.

Naturally, there will be speculation about that move being a precursor to a Dalton Risner signing. The free agent guard with 62 starts for the Broncos over the past four seasons visited the Vikings' facility on Tuesday, but left without signing a contract. Head coach Kevin O'Connell said the visit allowed the Vikings to get to know Risner better and see if adding him would be a fit for both sides.

"We're always looking for ways to find good football players when they're available," O'Connell said. "We really just wanted to bring him in and get to know him a little bit better, use the process of a visit to do that, and see if we can possibly take what we think is a strong group and make it even better. It's going to be a process that starts with that visit and I think it's gone really well so far. We'll just continue to kinda see if that's something that makes sense for both ourselves and Dalton."

Risner leaving the building with signing a contract definitely does not mean it can't still happen at some point — perhaps shortly. It'll all come down to contract negotiations and discussions about his potential role.

Update: the Vikings have signed a former Broncos offensive lineman — but it isn't Risner.

Schlueter is a native of Victoria, MN, who spent six seasons at the University of Minnesota, starting 49 games at tackle for the Gophers. He stands 6'6" and turns 26 this month. Schlueter — who had stints with the 49ers and Jets in 2022 after going undrafted — initially signed with the Vikings in May after attending their rookie minicamp as a tryout player. If he clears waivers, he could potentially remain with the team on the Reserve/NFI list.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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