Westbrook was cut from the Packers' practice squad Tuesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Westbrook joined the practice squad Nov. 15 while Green Bay was dealing with a rash of injuries to its receiver corps. However, the 29-year-old was unable to work his way to the active roster. In a corresponding move, the Packers signed offensive linemen Jean Delance and Michal Menet to their practice squad. Westbrook will now work to find an opportunity elsewhere.
... See More... See Less
Dede Westbrook: Lands new opportunity
Rotowire
Westbrook was signed to the Packers' practice squad Tuesday.
Westbrook's addition to Green Bay's practice squad comes as the team is dealing with multiple injuries to their wide receiver corps. Allen Lazard (shoulder), Romeo Doubs (ankle) and Christian Watson (ankle) are all questionable for Thursday's game with the Titans. Not to mention, Randall Cobb also remains on IR due to an ankle injury. Westbrook last played with the Vikings in 2021, appearing in 15 games, making 10 catches on 15 targets for 68 yards.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Plays just five snaps in finale
Rotowire
Westbrook played five offensive snaps but didn't record any counting stats during Week 18's 31-17 win over the Bears.
Westbrook finished the 2021 campaign with 10 catches for 68 yards. However, he did have some solid contributions as the primary punt returner, notching at least 20 return yards in four games. Regardless, he's set to be a free agent this offseason and isn't likely to return to the Vikings.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: No targets in return
Rotowire
Westbrook played 27 offensive snaps and didn't receive a target during Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Rams.
Westbrook was sidelined during the Vikings' Week 15 win over the Bears due to COVID-19 protocols, but he was cleared in time for Week 16. However, despite being active, Westbrook was nearly non-existent. Justin Jefferson demanded the majority of Kirk Cousins' attention, while K.J. Osborn stepped up after Adam Thielen suffered a setback with his ankle injury. Westbrook hasn't enjoyed fantasy relevance at any point this season and that is expected to continue when Minnesota faces Green Bay in Week 17.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Comes off COVID-19 list
Rotowire
Minnesota reinstated Westbrook (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Lindsey Young of the Vikings' official site reports.
Westbrook wasn't able to clear the NFL's COVID-19 protocol ahead of Monday's 17-9 win over the Bears, but he looks like he'll be ready to go for Minnesota's Week 16 meeting with the Rams. While Adam Thielen (ankle) and Westbrook were sidelined Monday, rookie Ihmir Smith-Marsette finished with a seven-yard touchdown reception across two targets while serving as the No. 3 wideout behind regular starters Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Won't play Week 15
Rotowire
Westbrook (illness) wasn't reinstated from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Monday's game against the Bears, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Though he landed on the list six days ago, Westbrook wasn't able to clear all COVID-19-related protocols ahead of Monday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. With Westbrook and fellow depth wideout Dan Chisena (reserve/COVID-19 list) both sidelined for the Week 15 matchup, the Vikings are left with Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Myron Mitchell as reserve options at receiver behind projected starters Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen (ankle) and K.J. Osborn. Thielen is listed as questionable and being treated as a game-time decision.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Placed on COVID-19 list
Rotowire
Westbrook was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Westbrook will join Alexander Mattison and Dan Chisena in COVID-19 protocols as the Vikings are in the midst of a breakout among their skill position players. The timing couldn't have come at a worse time for the fifth-year pro, who had played season-high snaps in back-to-back weeks with Adam Thielen sidelined with a high ankle sprain. However, while he'd been on the field more often, he hadn't seen an uptick in production. The Vikings currently only have Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn and Ihmir Smith-Marsette as healthy options at wideout, so fantasy managers should monitor their receiving corps throughout the week.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Sees more work sans Thielen
Rotowire
Westbrook played 31 of the Vikings' 71 offensive snaps (44 percent) in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Lions, finishing with one reception for minus-2 yards on two targets.
With Adam Thielen exiting the contest early with what was later revealed to be a high-ankle sprain, Westbrook and K.J. Osborn both picked up extra snaps alongside Justin Jefferson in three-receiver sets. Thielen will undergo an MRI on Monday before the Vikings provide an official update on the extent of his injury, but in the likely event he misses the team's Week 14 contest Thursday against Pittsburgh, Westbrook will likely be needed to play more snaps.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: No limitations Wednesday
Rotowire
Westbrook (ankle) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
Westbrook was inactive for Sunday's loss to the Cowboys due to the ankle injury, but he looks like he'll only miss one game. When healthy, the 27-year-old has played a minimal role in Minnesota's aerial attack this season, recording seven catches for 59 yards in six games.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Sitting out Sunday night
Rotowire
Westbrook (ankle) is inactive for Sunday night's game against Dallas.
Westbrook was only able to put in a limited practice session on Friday and ultimately has been ruled out. Dan Chisena or Ihmir Smith-Marsette could see a handful of snaps on offense as a consequence.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Questionable for Week 8
Rotowire
Westbrook (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's contest against the Cowboys.
Westbrook didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but he hasn't been ruled out for the Vikings' Week 8 matchup with the Cowboys. If he is sidelined Sunday, K.J. Osborn will likely take over at punt returner, and Ihmir Smith-Marsette may see increased snaps at receiver.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: DNP on Wednesday
Rotowire
Westbrook (ankle) missed the Vikings' practice Wednesday, Craig Peters of the team's official site reports.
The wide receiver appeared on the injury report for the first time Wednesday after the team had its bye in Week 7. Thursday's practice will provide a better gauge of his availability for this weekend. If he can't go, K.J. Osborn will likely take over at punt returner, and Ihmir Smith-Marsette will pick up a few more snaps at receiver.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Two receptions Sunday
Rotowire
Westbrook had two receptions for 13 yards on two targets in Sunday's win at Carolina. He also had three punt returns for a 2.3-yard average.
Westbrook played on 12 of the offense's 89 snaps after playing 14 snaps last week. He's getting more of a look in four-receiver sets which could bode for a larger role later in the season if any injury strikes a top receiver. His main value in the meantime comes as the team's punt returner.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Increased usage as receiver
Rotowire
Westbrook had three receptions on four targets for 18 yards in Sunday's win over Detroit.
Westbrook played a season-high 14 snaps on offense as he's mostly been used as the team's punt returner. While 18 yards receiving doesn't warrant a look in most fantasy formats, his increase in playing time during a game where the Vikings were not heavily passing merits attention in case it's a sign of a growing role.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Minimal role on offense
Rotowire
Westbrook played just two snaps on offense and returned three punts for a 21-yard average in Sunday's loss at Arizona.
Westbrook's role looks essentially limited to punt returns at this point with K.J. Osborn taking over the third receiver role. Osborn caught five of six targets for 91 yards and a touchdown Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: One reception in Vikings debut
Rotowire
Westbrook had one reception on his only target for 11 yards in Sunday's loss at the Bengals. He also had one punt return for 12 yards.
Westbook worked as the primary punt returner and No. 4 receiver in the offense. He played 15 snaps on offense. While he may have been somewhat eased into action after the team was cautious with him in the preseason while he was coming back from a torn ACL, K.J. Osborn continued to look sharp in the No. 3 receiver role. Westbrook's primary usage may be on punt returns as a result.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Set to return punts
Rotowire
Westbrook will be the Vikings' primary punt returner, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Westbrook is returning from an ACL tear that occurred Week 7 of the 2020 season. Along with returning punts, he projects to be Minnesota's No. 4 wide receiver. If he shows no signs of rust, the 27-year-old could certainly compete with K.J. Osborn for more snaps.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Full participant in practice
Rotowire
Westbrook (knee) was a full participant in practice Wednesday and said he will "most definitely" be ready the Vikings' Week 1 matchup with the Bengals, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Westbrook looks to be all the way back from a torn ACL suffered Week 7 of last season. It's not clear what kind of role he'll have against the Bengals. On the heels of a solid preseason, K.J. Osborn heads into Week 1 as the Vikings' No. 3 receiver, but Westbrook could eventually usurp him for those duties.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Not placed on injured reserve
Rotowire
The Vikings elected not to place Westbrook (knee) prior to the team's Week 1 matchup with the Bengals, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Westbrook only recently starting to participate in team drills while he works his way back from a torn ACL suffered Week 7 of last season. Since he'll begin the season on the active roster, the Vikings must believe he'll be able to play at some point within the first three games. K.J. Osborn had a strong preseason and looks set to begin the regular season as the No. 3 receiver, but Westbrook could take over the role once he's back to full strength.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Dede Westbrook: Participates in full-team drills
Rotowire
Westbrook (knee) participated in full-team drills during Thursday's practice, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official site reports.
Westbrook has regularly had his reps managed since inking with the Vikings late July, while working his way back from an ACL tear, but it appears that he's now progressed enough to fully participate. Minnesota could continue to take a cautious approach to Westbrook's recovery, so it's not a sure thing that he suits up for Saturday's exhibition match against the Colts, but his chances of making a preseason appearance at some point appear to be increasing.
