3 Vikings veterans who could be cut this preseason

1. RB Ameer Abdullah

Abdullah got some solid run in the preseason opener, with five carries for 29 yards and two catches for 12 yards, But his path to a 53-man roster spot is rooted in special teams and the return game. To that end, he had one punt return against the Broncos while others took kickoff return duties. One of those “others” was rookie running back Kene Nwangwu.

Abdullah is a veteran who should be able to latch on elsewhere with some chance to earn a roster spot before the preseason is over. Late in the second preseason game could become a bit of a showcase for him, as other teams monitor cuts around the league and shuffle their rosters in the days after heading toward the final preseason week. It would also come off as the Vikings doing him a favor, with a mutual understanding he’s going to be cut soon.

Abdullah doesn’t belong on a practice squad due to his seniority in the league, and his odds of making the Vikings’ final 53 are slim. He will almost certainly be cut between Week 2 and Week 3 of the preseason.