Vikings activate Oli Udoh from COVID-19 list, waive DeMarquis Gates

After leading the league at one point with the most players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the Minnesota Vikings have dropped that number all the way down to zero.

On Thursday, the team announced that they had activated offensive lineman Oli Udoh from the COVID-19 list. In order to make room, the team has waived linebacker DeMarquis Gates.

(No relation.)

Udoh spent most of last season being “redshirted,” as he was inactive for nearly every game. He did get a start in the regular season finale against the Chicago Bears and played fairly well. He’s likely going to get an opportunity to compete for a spot as a backup on the offensive line this season, and could even make a push to start at guard.

Of the nine different players that the Vikings put on the COVID-19 list, Udoh and linebacker Cameron Smith are the only one that are known to have actually tested positive for the virus.

As for Gates, his run of tough luck continues. He was a part of both the AAF and the XFL when both leagues abruptly ceased operations. He had played well enough in both of those leagues to earn NFL opportunities, but did not get much of an opportunity to make those squads.

With Udoh’s activation, the Vikings’ roster now sits at eighty players with zero. . .zero. . .players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Hopefully it will stay that way.