Reichard & DePaola Activated (Van Ginkel limited)

The Vikings have moved rookie kicker Will Reichard back to their active roster for Sunday’s game against the Falcons.

Kicker Parker Romo was released to make room for Reichard’s return. Romo made 11 field goals in four games for the Vikings, the first game action of his NFL career.

Reichard spent four weeks on injured reserve with a right quad injury he suffered in the Vikings’ win over the Colts on Nov. 3. He’d dealt with soreness entering the game, he told the Minnesota Star Tribune at the time, and further aggravated it in the first half of the 21-13 win.

Reichard was a full participant all three days of practice this week. Head coach Kevin O’Connell kept his status as questionable exiting Friday’s practice but said a decision would be made on whether he’d play later in the day.

A sixth-round draft pick out of Alabama, Reichard made 34 kicks to start his NFL career before missing his first two (53 and 31 yards) against the Colts.

All-Pro long snapper Andrew DePaola returned to the active roster from injured reserve alongside Reichard. The Vikings made room for his return from a hand injury that required surgery earlier in the week with the release of interim long snapper Jake McQuaide.

The Vikings also elevated outside linebacker Gabriel Murphy to the active roster for Sunday’s game. On Friday, O’Connell said outside linebackers Patrick Jones II and Andrew Van Ginkel were both questionable.

Source: Startribune

O’Connell said Friday that Van Ginkel was dealing with soreness. He’s listed on the practice report as having a thigh injury and was limited all three days of practice.