Vikings waive long snapper Austin Cutting

The Minnesota Vikings officially waived long snapper Austin Cutting and linebacker Hardy Nickerson on Tuesday.

Minnesota also released cornerback Marcus Sayles from the practice squad and protected tight end Brandon Dillon.

Cutting had been the Vikings’ long snapper since he was drafted in the seventh round (No. 250 overall) of the 2019 draft. Cutting appeared in all 16 games as a rookie last season and played nine games in 2020.

Cutting botched snaps in back-to-back games against Detroit and Chicago. Andrew DePaola, a six-year NFL veteran, replaced Cutting as the team’s long snapper and has played the last two contests. He will serve as the long snapper moving forward.

Nickerson played 46 defensive snaps for Minnesota in 2020 and collected six tackles and one forced fumble.

Minnesota (5-6) will battle the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-10) at 12 p.m. Sunday.