Robert Tonyan: Cut from Minnesota's practice squad
Rotowire
The Vikings cut Tonyan from their practice squad Friday.
Tonyan bounced between Minnesota's active roster and practice squad throughout the campaign, and he has played in five games, logging 14 offensive snaps without a target. The veteran tight end has had success in the NFL in the past -- including in 2020, when he tallied 52 catches for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Packers -- so it seems likely that he'll find another opportunity with a team in need of tight-end depth. Tonyan's departure made room for the team to officially sign former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones to the practice squad.
... See More... See Less
Robert Tonyan: Reverts to practice squad
Rotowire
Tonyan reverted to the Vikings' practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Tonyan played six snaps (two on offense, four on special teams) and did not record a stat during the Vikings' 30-20 loss to the Rams on Thursday night. Tonyan has been elevated from the practice squad three times this year, which is the most that a team can elevate a player in a season. The Vikings would have to sign the 30-year-old tight end to the active roster if they wish for Tonyan to continue to play for Minnesota.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Elevated for Thursday's contest
Rotowire
The Vikings elevated Tonyan from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Thursday's game against the Rams.
T.J. Hockenson (knee) will remain on injured reserve, opening the door for Tonyan to be elevated to the active roster Thursday. Tonyan will serve as the Vikings' No. 3 tight end behind Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver. Tonyan has not seen a target across his four regular-season outings this year.
... See More... See Less
Robert Tonyan: Opts to stick around in Minnesota
Rotowire
Tonyan signed with the Vikings' practice squad Tuesday.
Despite being released from the active roster for the second time this month, Tonyan appears to like his environment enough to stay in Minnesota on the practice squad. He will continue to provide depth at tight end for as long as T.J. Hockenson (knee) is sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Robert Tonyan: Let go by Minnesota again
Rotowire
The Vikings released Tonyan on Tuesday.
Tonyan was signed to the Vikings' active roster Oct. 19 for the second time this season to serve as the No. 3 tight end behind Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt. With T.J. Hockenson (knee) on track to return from injured reserve for Week 8 or 9, there doesn't appear to be room for Tonyan, and he will be released for the second time this month. Tonyan could stick around in Minnesota and sign with the practice squad again, but he has an opportunity to explore his options and sign with a team in need of depth at tight end.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Signed to active roster
Rotowire
The Vikings signed Tonyan from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Tonyan began the regular season on the Vikings' practice squad after he was unsuccessful in making the 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He signed with the active roster Oct. 3 after being elevated from the practice squad twice, but he was released five days later to make room for running back Myles Gaskin. Tonyan is now back on the active roster and will serve as the No. 3 tight end Sunday against the Lions behind Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt. T.J. Hockenson (knee) had his 21-day practice window open Oct. 2, and it's unclear what Tonyan's fate will be once the former returns from injured reserve.
... See More... See Less
Robert Tonyan: Back with Vikes' practice squad
Rotowire
The Vikings signed Tonyan to the practice squad Wednesday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Tonyan was jettisoned from the active roster Tuesday to make room for running back Myles Gaskin. Tonyan had the chance to sign with another team, but the 30-year-old tight end will opt to stick around with Minnesota on the practice squad. He's played 38 snaps (11 on offense, 27 on special teams) across three regular-season outings with the Vikings.
... See More... See Less
Robert Tonyan: Let go by Minnesota
Rotowire
The Vikings released Tonyan on Tuesday.
The Vikings are on a bye for Week 6, and with T.J. Hockenson (knee) on track to return for Week 7 or 8, the team doesn't appear to have room for Tonyan on the active roster as a depth tight end. According to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, head coach Kevin O'Connell said that the Vikings are hopeful to bring Tonyan back as a member of the practice squad.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Moves to active roster
Rotowire
Tonyan signed with the Vikings' 53-man roster from their practice squad Thursday.
Tonyan has been elevated each of the last two weeks, seeing 10 snaps on offense without a target. The veteran tight end's promotion comes with Josh Oliver (wrist) currently questionable for Sunday's game in London against the Jets and T.J. Hockenson (knee) still likely at least another week away from returning. If Oliver is unable to suit up Sunday, Tonyan and Johnny Mundt will likely be the only healthy tight ends for the Vikings in Week 5.
... See More... See Less
Robert Tonyan: Reverts to practice squad
Rotowire
Tonyan reverted to the Vikings' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
The tight end played on seven of 68 offensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps, recording no stats. Tonyan was also elevated for the Vikings' Week 3 win over the Texans but was also blanked on the stat sheet. Tonyan served as the No. 3 tight end behind Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver in both contests.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Elevated again from practice squad
Rotowire
Minnesota elevated Tonyan from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
Tonyan will be elevated for a second straight week and, if active for Sunday's game against the Packers, will once again serve as the No. 3 tight end behind Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver. Tonyan played 15 snaps (three on offense, 12 on special teams) and did not record any counting stats during the Vikings' Week 3 win over the Texans.
... See More... See Less
Robert Tonyan: Reverts to practice squad
Rotowire
Tonyan reverted to the Vikings' practice squad Monday.
Tonyan saw playing time on both offense and special teams during Sunday's win versus the Texans but failed to record any stats. As Minnesota currently only has two healthy tight ends on their roster, the 30-year-old could be elevated again versus the Packers next week.
... See More... See Less
Robert Tonyan: Returns to Vikings' practice squad
Rotowire
Tonyan signed with the Vikings' practice squad Wednesday, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Tonyan was diagnosed with back spasms in late July, which held him out of practices and all three of the Vikings' preseason games. With T.J. Hockenson (knee) starting the regular season on the PUP list and Nick Muse dealing with an undisclosed injury, Tonyan -- if healthy -- could be elevated to the active roster to provide tight end depth behind Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt for Week 1 against the Giants.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Released by Minnesota
Rotowire
Tonyan (back) was released by Minnesota on Tuesday, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Tonyan was competing for a reserve tight-end role but suffered a back injury early in camp and missed crucial time. He could find a spot on a practice squad when back to full strength (though he did recently return to practice).
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Still sidelined with back injury
Rotowire
Tonyan has not played this preseason and hasn't returned to practice after being sidelined July 31 with back spasms, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Tonyan had a shot to be a sleeper in the offense with T.J. Hockenson likely to miss games as he works his way back from an ACL injury. However, he's going to have a hard time making the roster with the injury and could end up being released or placed on injured reserve.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Lower back spasms confirmed
Rotowire
Coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Friday that Tonyan is dealing with lower-back spasms.
Tonyan, who was carted off the field Wednesday, didn't practice Friday, but O'Connell hopes to have the tight end back in time for the team's preseason games. Once Tonyan returns to the mix, he'll continue to compete with Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt for added pass-catching opportunities in the Vikings offense while T.J. Hockenson (knee) remains sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Exits practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Tonyan was carted off the practice field Wednesday with an unspecified injury, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
The tight end can be considered day-to-day until further information is available on the nature of his injury. With T.J. Hockenson still recovering from a knee injury, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Tonyan are candidates to see added snaps and targets for the Vikings early on this season.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Robert Tonyan: Finds home in Minnesota
Rotowire
Tonyan and the Vikings agreed to terms Thursday on a contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Tonyan suited up for all 17 games with the Bears last season, but he secured only 11 of 17 targets for 107 yards. He joins a Minnesota tight end room behind T.J. Hockenson (knee), who isn't a lock to be ready for Week 1 as he works his way back from a serious knee injury. That could give Tonyan the opportunity to compete with Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt for an expanded early season role.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: Takes on expanded role
Rotowire
Tonyan caught three passes for 40 yards in the Bears' 37-17 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Although Cole Kmet (knee) was active in this game, Tonyan was the only Chicago tight end utilized in the passing game. Tonyan was third on the team with four targets, and the only Chicago player with more receiving yards was DJ Moore. This was the only time all season that the veteran tight end posted 20 or more yards, but if Kmet's back in his typical role next week at Green Bay, Tonyan would likely go back to seeing minimal work as a receiver.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Robert Tonyan: Targeted once in victory
Rotowire
Tonyan caught a 14-yard pass in the Bears' 27-16 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.
Tonyan caught his first pass since Week 9, and he's yet to post 20 yards in any game. However, if Cole Kmet (knee) is forced to miss time, Tonyan could become Chicago's primary receiving tight end. When Tonyan was the Packers' top tight end in 2022, he caught 53 passes for 470 yards and two touchdowns, if he's put into a similar role with the Bears, he could be a streaming option at tight end.
