Vikings Cuts: QB Sage Rosenfels released

Vikings GM Rick Spielman said he gave the coaching staff eight roster scenarios on Wednesday.

By Joe Oberle

Aug 31, 2012 at 5:42 pm ET • 3 min read

Vikings GM Rick Spielman said on Wednesday he had given the coaching staff eight roster scenarios, but injuries in the final preseason game and waived players from other teams impacted the final decision.

The Vikings debated their cuts well into Friday afternoon as they got news of players being released.

Notable cuts: QB Sage Rosenfels (12th year, Iowa State) In a surprising move, the Vikings released veteran QB Sage Rosenfels, according to reports, and they will likely keep rookie QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Rosenfels was considered a lock for his experience and familiarity with the team and offense, but youth won out. The senior member of the among QBs is third-year player Joe Webb. RB Lex Hilliard (4^th year, Montana) Hilliard was considered the leader for the 3^rd running back spotearly in camp, but was passed by FB Matt Asiata, who moved to tailback and had a great preseason. WR Emmanuel Arceneaux (2^nd year, 2011 Alcorn State) In a position battle that lasted throughout camp, Arceneaux is the odd man out, as he had a good preseason but received fewest reps in the final game. A member of the team’s practice squad last season, the Vikings will have interest in getting him through waivers. DE Jeff Charleston (6^th year, Idaho State) The first name on the list is DE Jeff Charleston, a 5-year veteran from Idaho State, according to 1500ESPN. Charleston injured his ankle during training camp and lost a little time, but he was along shot at best on team that is deep at the defensive end position. FB Ryan D'Imperio (2nd year, Rutgers). D'Imperio made the team last season, but the addition of FB Jerome Felton and the addition of versatile TE/HB Rhett Ellison made him expendable. Trevor Guyton (R, 7^th round in 2012, California) Guyton’s stock rose when DT Letroy Guion was injured, but he never did enough in camp to stand out. The Vikings may try to get him through waivers and put him on the practice squad. OL Chris DeGeare (2^nd year, Wake Forest) It looked like DeGeare had a chance to stick when it was reported that OL DeMarcus Love would need surgery on his pectoral muscle, but the Vikings may try to side him through waivers.

Complete cut list

QB Sage Rosenfels (12th year, Iowa State); DE Jeff Charleston (6th year, Idaho State); FB Ryan D'Imperio (2nd year, 7th round in 2010 draft, Rutgers); DT Trevor Guyton (R, 7th round in 2012, California; DE Nick Reed (3rd year, Oregon), OL Chris DeGeare (2nd year, Wake Forest); WR Emmanuel Arceneaux (2nd year, 2011 Alcorn State); WR Emmanuel Arceneaux (2nd year, Alcorn State); RB Lex Hilliard (4th year, Montana); T Kevin Murphy (rookie, undrafted free agent, Harvard); RB Jordan Todman (1st year, Connecticut): G Austin Pasztor (rookie, undrafted free agent, Virginia); C Quentin Saulsberry (rookie, undrafted free agent, Mississippi State); G Tyler Holmes (rookie, undrafted free agent, Tulsa); LB Corey Paredes (rookie, undrafted free agent Hawaii); CB Bobby Felder (rookie, undrafted free agent, Nicholls State); DB Reggie Jones (1st year, Portland State); DT Chase Baker (rookie, undrafted free agent, Boise State), TE Mickey Shuler (2nd year, Penn State), CB Chris Carr (8th year, Boise State), S Eric Frampton (6th year, Washington State.

Other moves: Injured reserve -- T DeMarcus Love (1st year, Arkansas).

Note: WR Jerome Simpson (suspended) does not count against the 53-man roster until the third regular season game is complete.

For more Vikings news and notes, follow Joe Oberle on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLMIN.