Vikings Add QB Bethel-Thompson and TE Otten To Practice Squad

With all the transactions made today for the Minnesota Vikings, the addition of QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson and TE Ryan Otten to the practice squad seemed to go under the radar.

Aug 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson (4) passes against the Tennessee Titans in the third quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Vikings win 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings fans seem to absolutely love quarterback McLeod John Baltazar Bethel-Thompson.  He has shown a rare kind of arm strength that only some of the elite in the NFL possess.  He has put that trait on display for the Vikings during a couple preseason games that made some folks draw some comparisons to another former Minnesota quarterback who wore the #4, Brett Favre.

Bethel-Thompson becomes the emergency third quarterback who should be ready to be promoted at a moments notice if something happens to the current passers.  The fractures in Matt Cassel‘s foot made this a necessary move to provide depth at the quarterback position for Minnesota.

Also added to the practice squad was tight end Ryan Otten.  Otten takes the place of TE Chase Ford on the practice squad, who was brought to the main roster because of an injury to Kyle Rudolph.  Otten has bounced around the league a bit, making the Vikings his 4th team in just his second NFL season.  An undrafted free agent out of San Jose State in 2013, Otten will look to impress on the practice squad and show that he is more that just a borderline practice squad talent talent.

Congratulations to Bethel-Thompson on returning to the Vikings and to Ryan Otten on joining the squad.