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The Minnesota Vikings undertook a little bit of roster maintenance on Tuesday, which turned some heads because the club cut ties with wide receiver Lucky Jackson, running back Xazavian Valladay, and another wideout, Tim Jones.
The Minnesota Vikings cut ties with three players on Tuesday, making room for Jordan Addison and new running back Corey Kiner.
Such moves are not uncommon, but many thought the Vikings had big plans for Jackson especially as recently as one month ago.
Vikings Drop 3 Players amid Roster Maintenance
It’s out with the old, and in with the new.
 runs the ball as Cleveland Browns tight end Treyton Welch (82) tackles him during the second quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_24020201-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_24020201-1.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_24020201-1.jpg” alt=”Lucky Jackson tackled by Treyton Welch during Vikings-Browns preseason game.” ><figcaption>Minnesota wide receiver Lucky Jackson carries the ball while being tackled by Cleveland Browns tight end Treyton Welch during second-quarter action on Aug 17, 2024, at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Jackson attempted to gain yards after the catch before Welch brought him down in the preseason matchup, showcasing both effort and physical play. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>WR Lucky Jackson Dropped from Practice Squad</strong></p>
<p>Most hardcore followers of the Vikings didn’t know that Jackson would be the low man on the totem pole.</p>
<p>But Minnesota evidently disagreed, and <em>Vikings.com</em>‘s <a href=)
Craig Peters wrote Tuesday, “The Vikings opened Week 4 with a series of roster moves. Minnesota on Tuesday announced it has terminated the contract of receiver Tim Jones, who joined the Vikings this offseason.”
“Jones played 25 special teams snaps and six offensive snaps in Minnesota’s first two games of 2025. The team also released receiver Lucky Jackson and running back Xazavian Valladay from its practice squad.”
Jackson seriously turned heads during 2025 training camp and in a couple of preseason games, enough to contend with the mythological “Mr. Mankato” award, which UDFA quarterback Max Brosmer arguably won. At times, Jackson felt like a shoo-in for the regular season roster, mainly because Jordan Addison would miss the season’s first three games, Justin Jefferson was bothered by a hamstring injury, and Rondale Moore tore his ACL in early August.
In the end, Jackson did not make the 53-man roster, and some three weeks into the regular season, he’ll hit free agency.
RB Xazavian Valladay Out
Valladay joined Minnesota’s roster as a depth running back late in the summer, coming aboard on August 19th in a move many believed was merely another RB body for the final preseason game.
 runs the ball against Buffalo Bills safety Dean Marlowe (31) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 27-15. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_21236267.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=872,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_21236267.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_21236267.jpg” alt=”Xazavian Valladay runs ball for Steelers while Dean Marlowe defends.” ><figcaption>Pittsburgh Steelers running back Xazavian Valladay rushes the football against Buffalo Bills safety Dean Marlowe during third-quarter play on Aug 19, 2023, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Valladay fought for extra yards as Marlowe closed in to make the stop, with Pittsburgh ultimately securing a 27-15 victory in the preseason contest. The game offered opportunities for depth players to impress coaches. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>A week later, Valladay was predictably dropped amid roster trimdowns, but the Vikings quickly added him back to the practice squad. All told, his purple career, at least for now, lasted slightly over a month. </p>
<p>Valladay thrived in college, posting 5,346 yards from scrimmage in four years at Wyoming and one at Arizona State from 2018 to 2022. Valladay also banked for 39 total touchdowns. He logged 99 yards from scrimmage per game at both schools before turning pro. </p>
<p><strong>Goodbye to WR Tim Jones</strong></p>
<p>Primarily a special teams addition, Minnesota signed <a href=)
Jones in March, and he stayed connected to the roster orbit for six months.
During free agency, the Vikings lost wide receiver Trent Sherfield to the Denver Broncos, and most envisioned Jones as the Sherfield replacement plan. Jones has played hopscotch, at times, in the last six months with the Vikings roster, cut at the end of August, but quickly re-signed to the practice squad. He may be gone for good this time.
Jones spent four seasons in Jacksonville, though he didn’t see a regular season field until the 2022 campaign. He’s totaled 17 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown on 27 targets in 51 career contests. Jones has also fielded a couple of kick returns here and there, and some fans thought he could contend for that role in Minnesota. Undrafted rookie wideout Myles Price had other plans.
The New Guys
Jordan Addison is back from a three-game suspension, and he’ll obviously command a roster spot. The electric wideout will make his season debut this Sunday in Ireland against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
 is tackled by Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Max Tooley (31) in the third quarter during a college football game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Cincinnati Bearcats, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_21535497.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_21535497.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_21535497.jpg” alt=”Corey Kiner tackled by Max Tooley during Cincinnati-BYU game.”><figcaption>Cincinnati Bearcats running back C. Kiner is tackled by Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Max Tooley during third-quarter action of a college football game on Sep 30, 2023, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. Kiner attempted to push forward before Tooley brought him down, highlighting the Cougars’ defensive intensity in the non-conference matchup. The play illustrated the physical nature of the contest. © Kareem Elgazzar-The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Meanwhile, Minnesota signed running back Corey Kiner this week to its practice squad. Peters noted on that transaction, “The Vikings signed running back Corey Kiner to their practice squad. Kiner, 23, entered the NFL this spring as an undrafted free agent with San Francisco out of Cincinnati, where he played in 34 games and rushed 477 times for 2,562 yards and 14 touchdowns with the Bearcats.”</p>
<p>It’s Addison and Kiner in, with Jackson, Valladay, and Jones out.</p>
<p><strong>More on Corey Kiner</strong></p>
<p>Our Ted Schwerzler <a href=)
remarked on Kiner: “Beyond just the addition of Addison, Minnesota has also added running back Corey Kiner to the practice squad. A rookie this season, Kiner played 12 games for Cincinnati last year. He rushed for 1,153 yards on 204 carries (5.7 yards per attempt) and found the end zone four times.”
“Kiner’s addition to the practice squad gives Minnesota some flexibility. They recently re-signed Cam Akers after veteran Aaron Jones was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Ty Chandler is also on injured reserve, so the only 53-man roster running backs are Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott.”
Finally, the aforementioned Jackson had been within the organization since 2023, so if this is it, it’s the end of a mini-era in Minnesota for the guy with a catchy first name.