Vikings sign cornerback Bené Benwikere

UPDATE 2:15 PM: The Vikings have announced that they are waiving CB Terrence Alexander to make room for Benwikere.

With things on the cornerback depth chart for the Minnesota Vikings looking a little bit dicey in recent weeks, the team had brought in several veteran cornerbacks for tryouts. On Saturday, they officially brought one of them on board.

Per numerous reports, the Vikings have signed cornerback Bené Benwikere, who has played for a bunch. . .and I do mean a bunch. . .of different teams in his five seasons in the National Football League.

Benwikere was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of San Jose State University. He spent the first two-plus years of his career with Carolina, starting 14 games as the team’s nickel corner during that time.

After being released by Carolina in October of 2016, Benwikere spent time on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad, and was signed to a futures contract by the Green Bay Packers during the offseason. He only spent a month with Green Bay, and was then picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bengals wound up trading Benwikere to the Dallas Cowboys for a conditional sixth-round draft pick. He was almost exclusively a special teamer for Dallas, appearing in 12 games during the 2017 season. Prior to the 2018 season, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals, and started eight games for them prior to being released. He then spent the final month of the season with the Oakland Raiders.

So, that makes the Vikings Benwikere’s eighth NFL stop in this, his sixth season in the league. For his career, the 6-foot, 195-pound Benwikere has three interceptions and 25 passes defended.

No corresponding roster move has been announced yet, but the team still has not made an announcement on the status of offensive lineman Aviante Collins, who left Thursday’s practice session on a cart with a lower leg injury. When we have the corresponding move, we will provide an update to this story.