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Earlier today, we had a small discussion about whether or not quarterback Taylor Heinicke would remain on the Non-Football Injury list (which I erroneously identified as the PUP list) into the regular season, given what was happening with the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation.
Well. . .needless to say, circumstances have changed a little bit since then, so the team has decided to play it safe with him after all.
Looks like Taylor Heinicke heading for reserve non football injury list No urgency on him now after acquiring Sam Bradford
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) September 3, 2016
According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Vikings will keep Heinicke on the Non-Football Injury list, meaning that he will not be able to practice with the team for the early portion of the season.
According to NFL rules, the earliest that Heinicke will be able to practice with the team would be 17 October. At that time, the team will have three weeks to decide whether or not to bring him onto the active roster. Given that he’s currently ahead of schedule in his rehab from his foot injury, it would be a significant upset if the Vikings didn’t move him onto the team at that point and make him the #3 quarterback.
As long as Heinicke is on the Non-Football Injury list, he will not count against the Vikings’ 53-man roster limit.
By our count, the Vikings still have to cut four players in the next half an hour or so. We’ll have all the names right here for you as the cuts come down.