Wide receiver Jordan Addison, being reinstated from his three-game suspension to start the season, brought some roster shuffling for the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday. Among those moves was the release of veteran wide receiver Tim Jones and the release of wide receiver (and training camp standout, for a time) Lucky Jackson from the practice squad.
The practice squad, just like the 53-man roster, is a living organism for NFL teams throughout the season. With that in mind on Wednesday, the Vikings re-signed Jones to their practice squad less than 24 hours after releasing him amid their roster shuffling to make room for Addison.
Jones earned a spot on Minnesota's 53-man roster with six catches for 73 yards during the preseason, but his career up to this point with the Jacksonville Jaguars pointed to where he'd bring the most value. To that end, he played in the Vikings' first two games this season, with a total of 25 special teams snaps and six offensive snaps.
Minnesota Vikings bring back Tim Jones to keep some WR experience around
With Addison back in the fold, head coach Kevin O'Connell quickly noted how he feels the Vikings have four starting-caliber wide receivers.
Barring an injury to Justin Jefferson, Addison, Jalen Nailor, or Adam Thielen down the road this season, that doesn't leave room for anyone else to play offensive snaps at the position. And Jones already wasn't seeing offensive snaps.
When it comes down to it, in terms of a practice squad wide receiver who'd likely be the first in line to be elevated to the 53-man roster, the Vikings traded the perception of potential with Jackson for the experience and special teams utility Jones brings to the table.
In the context of a fifth wide receiver who'd be on the active roster for game days, special teams contribution is often the differentiator between players.
If Jones ever plays a notable number of offensive snaps for the Vikings this season, things are either going very well (in a given game) or very badly (overall). But he was obviously someone they wanted to keep around, and releasing him from the active roster pretty clearly came with the wink-nod understanding he'd be brought back on the practice squad.
It takes two to tango on something like that, but Jones also clearly wanted to stay in Minnesota in lieu of pursuing any opportunities elsewhere.