Massive Vikings Lineman Stolen Away by NFC Rival

The San Francisco 49ers have swooped in to steal away a massive Vikings lineman.

Consider the update that arrives courtesy of San Francisco’s social media: “The San Francisco 49ers announced they have signed DL Naquan Jones to a one-year deal and signed WR Brandin Cooks and DL Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the team’s practice squad. The team has placed DL C.J. West on the Injured Reserve List.”

Practice Squad Vikings Lineman Poached by SF

Losing Naquan Jones isn’t reason to throw in the towel on the season. Still, though, Minnesota will be somewhat disappointed by the news even if Kevin O’Connell wished the lineman well in the Wednesday presser.

Storing a player on the practice squad means risking the precise scenario that has taken place. A rival team can’t poach a player with the offer of a spot on the practice squad. Instead, there needs to be the promise of a spot on the 53-man roster. So, that’s what San Francisco did, snagging Mr. Jones to jump into a defensive tackle opening on the active roster. Think of it as the NFL version of getting a promotion, albeit with a different company.

The Vikings have already filled the opening on the practice squad, bringing Jonathan Harris back. Harris doesn’t offer the same size but he’s a veteran who has played for the Vikings before. Minnesota evidently has him on speed dial, opting to bring him back when there needs to be more trench help.

Lately, there has been a decent amount of digital ink being spilled on the Vikings’ defensive line. Jalen Redmond has been fantastic. Levi Drake Rodriguez continues to be a jack-in-the-box along the line; he explodes out of his stance in a manner that few can replicate. Another young lad, Ty Ingram-Dawkins, has generated praise, but he is currently working through injury.

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Of course, there has then been a pile of attention on rookies Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange. Both are hulking guys who got to town with promising picks from the 2026 NFL Draft (No. 18 and No. 82). Neither is a finished product but both have had good moments across a pair of games while getting worked into the mix.

In Naquan Jones, the Vikings boasted a veteran who could get elevated to function as a nose tackle for run clogging duties. The former Vikings lineman will now be looking to gobble up blockers down in the Bay Area.

Next up for the Vikings is a Week 3 game down in Tampa Bay. Most will think of Baker Mayfield since he’s a quarterback but note that there’s a monster in the middle of the Tampa defensive line: DT Vita Vea. Don’t be surprised if Tampa’s lineman wrecks plenty of plays.

Were I Banks or Orange, I would be watching Vea film in my spare time to figure out how one of the game’s best gets the job done.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.