The Minnesota Vikings have a 13-2 record through 16 weeks, already owning a ticket to the postseason and eyeing homefield advantage throughout the playoffs with a win over the Green Bay Packers this weekend and a dub at the Detroit Lions in Week 18.
Vikings Sign New Player on Christmas Eve
And roster tweaks are always in play, evidenced by the Vikings’ move on Christmas Even to add veteran cornerback Ambry Thomas.
Minnesota’s main social media team tweeted Tuesday, “The Vikings have designated Ivan Pace Jr. to return to practice and signed CB Ambry Thomas to the practice squad.”
In the Vikings’ most recent game, a win at the Seattle Seahawks, defenders Harrison Smith (safety), Jalen Redmond (DT), and Pace Jr. (linebacker) didn’t play due to injury, so with Pace Jr.’s imminent return, the defense will return closer to full strength.
Thomas, meanwhile, joins this purple cornerback room:
- Stephon Gilmore
- Byron Murphy
- Shaquill Griffin
- Fabian Moreau
- Dwight McGlothern
- Nahshon Wright (Practice Squad)
- Kelvin Joseph (Practice Squad)
- Ambry Thomas (Practice Squad)
- Mekhi Blackmon (IR)
- NaJee Thompson (IR)
Thomas is now one call-up away from the active gameday roster, though onlookers should expect him to remain a practice squad contingency plan. Besides Blackmon, Minnesota’s cornerbacks have stayed mostly upright and healthy — probably why the defense is considered a Top 3 unit around the NFL per virtually every credible statistical metric.
Here’s Thomas’ Pro Football Focus resume to date:
2023: 71.5
2022: 59.0
2021: 46.1
Thomas was part of the 49ers’ roster until late summer when he hit injured reserve. He stayed there until one week ago, but San Francisco released him. The Indianapolis Colts immediately claimed him from waivers, followed by a failed physical.
So, Thomas will live on the Vikings’ practice squad.
His 2023 PFF grade is particularly encouraging, and Thomas, 25, could be a player Minnesota stashes and keeps on the roster in 2025 and beyond.
Minnesota next plays the Packers at home on Sunday, and Green Bay is favored to win by a point. The Vegas line flipped this week from Minnesota as a 1.5 favorite to the Packers by one. Folks evidently wagered hardcore on Green Bay.
The Vikings’ current 13-2 record is their best through 15 weeks since the 1998 season. Few expected the team to tally such a record, and in fact, sportsbooks claimed Kevin O’Connell’s team would win just six or seven games.
Thomas was a teammate of Josh Metellus at the University of Michigan.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
