Vikings add rookie defensive tackle, waive defensive end just days before camp

Two days before players begin to report for this year’s training camp, the Minnesota Vikings signed former Illinois defensive tackle Chunky Clements.

This upcoming Sunday, July 23, members of the Minnesota Vikings will begin to report for the team’s 2017 training camp in Mankato, Minnesota. Only rookies and select veterans will be arriving Sunday while the rest of the team will report on Wednesday, July 26.

Apparently the Vikings were not satisfied with at least one area of their roster as they made a move on Friday that saw them waive rookie defensive end Caleb Kidder and replace him on the roster with free-agent rookie defensive tackle Chunky (yes, Chunky) Clements.

Kidder was signed by Minnesota back in April as an undrafted free-agent out of the University of Montana. Current Vikings defensive line coach Andre Patterson played a part in convincing Kidder to sign with Minnesota over other teams as the coach himself is a former member of the Montana football team.

Minnesota Vikings

While back home a few weeks ago, the young defensive end talked about how he felt heading into his very first NFL training camp.

"“I’m super excited. I’m super excited to get back there, get fall camp underway, do our preseason games, and just see what happens.”"

Unfortunately for Kidder, his dreams of playing professional football have been put on hold after the Vikings’ move on Friday.

In his place is former University of Illinois defensive tackle Jarrod “Chunky” Clements. In four seasons at Illinois, Clements played in 37 games and ended his career with 99 tackles (26.5 for a loss), six sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Measuring in at 6-foot-2, 290 pounds, the young defensive tackle was described as an, “active tackler for interior player,” and a, “penetrating three-technique tackle on the next level with some moldable pass-rush traits,” by NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein prior to the 2017 draft.

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Zierlein also mentioned that Clements’ best bet for 2017 is likely a spot on Minnesota’s practice squad as he still has a number of areas to improve in.