Vikings Release C John Sullivan
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- John Sullivan's run with the Minnesota Vikings is over after nine years.
The Vikings announced Tuesday that they've released Sullivan, who missed all of last season with back injuries and surgery that followed. Sullivan was hoping to be the starting center and anchor the offensive line when the Vikings travel to Tennessee on Sept. 10. He was competing for the starting job with Joe Berger, who started in his spot all of last season.
Berger apparently won the job, leaving the Vikings to either release Sullivan or trade him by 3 p.m. Tuesday. That's the NFL's deadline to trim rosters to 75 players.
Sullivan did not play in Sunday's preseason game against the San Diego Chargers, likely to prevent him from injury in the event the Vikings tried to trade him. The third preseason game is where the projected starters typically play the longest as it's their final tune-up before the regular season starts.
The Vikings must solidify a 53-man roster by Saturday afternoon. Their final preseason game is Thursday night.
The Vikings also waived former Gophers wide receiver Troy Stoudermire. Scott Crichton and Antone Exum were also placed on the waived/injured list, and Mike Harris was placded on the reserve-non football illness list.