AJ Rose staying in Minnesota on the practice squad

Former Kentucky running back AJ Rose was waived by the Minnesota Vikings yesterday. Today, the Vikings welcome Rose back into the building as a member of the practice squad.

Beat writer Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press was the first to report the news of Rose’s signing in Minnesota.

Source says #Vikings to add RB A.J. Rose Jr. to practice squad.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) September 1, 2021

An undrafted rookie, Rose earned a spot on the 16-man practice squad after a breakout performance in the preseason. He rushed for 100 yards in his NFL preseason debut, then ran for two touchdowns on only six carries against the Chiefs in the final game.

Rose’s play left upper management with a tough decision regarding his future in Minnesota.

The Vikings have a star in Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook to carry most of the workload. Behind Cook, 2019 third-round draft pick Alexander Mattison has been a reliable backup through his first two seasons. Rookie Kene Nwangwu was picked over Rose in the fourth round of this year’s draft, and though injured, he is RB3 on the first depth chart.

Minnesota felt confident enough with those three to use Rose’s roster spot on other positions. He will still be close by, though.

At Kentucky

Rose started in 24 consecutive games at Kentucky before wrapping up a five-year career with 148 yards and the MVP trophy in a Gator Bowl win. He ran for 1,971 rushing yards over the course of his career, good enough for tenth on the school’s all-time rushing list.

Back in the spring, Freddie Maggard wrote about what it meant for Kentucky to lose Rose.