11/4/21 update: The team Waived/Failed Physical DE Jonah Williams.
EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings have added an edge rusher to their defense, the team announced Wednesday.
Minnesota claimed defensive end Jonah Williams, originally an undrafted rookie with the Rams in 2020, off waivers. The Rams released Williams after trading for former Broncos edge rusher Von Miller.
Williams spent the 2020 campaign on the Rams practice squad and this summer made the team's 53-man roster coming out of training camp. Through eight games this season, he has five tackles. Williams has played 96 of the Rams defensive snaps (17 percent) and 41 special teams snaps (19 percent).
Signing Williams increases depth for the Vikings, who recently added Danielle Hunter to Injured Reserve with a season-ending pectoral injury.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of Jan. 5, 2022.
1 K Greg Joseph
1 K Greg Joseph
3 P Jordan Berry
16 P Jordan Berry
7 CB Patrick Peterson
7 CB Patrick Peterson
8 QB Kirk Cousins
8 QB Kirk Cousins
11 QB Kellen Mond
11 QB Kellen Mond
12 WR Dede Westbrook
12 WR Dede Westbrook
14 QB Sean Mannion
14 QB Sean Mannion
15 WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
15 WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
17 WR K.J. Osborn
17 WR K.J. Osborn
18 WR Justin Jefferson
18 WR Justin Jefferson
20 CB Harrison Hand
20 CB Harrison Hand
22 S Harrison Smith
22 S Harrison Smith
23 S Xavier Woods
23 S Xavier Woods
24 CB Mackensie Alexander
24 CB Mackensie Alexander
2 RB Alexander Mattison
2 RB Alexander Mattison
26 RB Kene Nwangwu
26 RB Kene Nwangwu
3 CB Cameron Dantzler
27 CB Cameron Dantzler
29 CB Kris Boyd
29 CB Kris Boyd
30 FB C.J. Ham
30 FB C.J. Ham
31 RB Wayne Gallman
31 RB Wayne Gallman
4 RB Dalvin Cook
33 RB Dalvin Cook
35 TE Luke Stocker
35 TE Luke Stocker
41 LB Chazz Surratt
41 LB Chazz Surratt
42 LS Andrew DePaola
42 LS Andrew DePaola
44 S Josh Metellus
44 S Josh Metellus
45 LB Troy Dye
45 LB Troy Dye
48 LB Blake Lynch
48 LB Blake Lynch
52 G Wyatt Davis
52 G Wyatt Davis
55 LB Anthony Barr
55 LB Anthony Barr
56 C Garrett Bradbury
56 C Garett Bradbury
58 DT Michael Pierce
58 DT Michael Pierce
59 LB Nick Vigil
59 LB Nick Vigil
64 T Blake Brandel
64 T Blake Brandel
69 T Rashod Hill
69 T Rashod Hill
74 G Olisaemeka Udoh
74 G Olisaemeka Udoh
75 T Brian O'Neill
75 T Brian O'Neill
78 G Dakota Dozier
78 G Dakota Dozier
83 TE Tyler Conklin
83 TE Tyler Conklin
85 WR Dan Chisena
85 WR Dan Chisena
90 DT Sheldon Richardson
90 DT Sheldon Richardson
92 DT James Lynch
92 DT James Lynch
91 OLB Patrick Jones II
91 DE Patrick Jones II
94 DT Dalvin Tomlinson
94 DT Dalvin Tomlinson
96 DT Armon Watts
96 DT Armon Watts
98 DE D.J. Wonnum
98 DE D.J. Wonnum
Here are five things to know about Williams:
1. Previously played TE
Before transitioning to the defensive side of the ball as a junior at Rocky Mountain High School (Idaho), Williams played tight end. He and his family had moved from Puyallup, Washington, and the Rocky Mountain team was short on defensive linemen.
Williams was moved to defensive end, and the rest is history. As a senior, he started every game and earned all-league and all-state honors.
2. Back in Purple
Williams garnered attention during his collegiate career at Weber State, where he donned a purple-and-white jersey.
As a senior in 2019, he earned All-American honors and was named the Big Sky Defensive MVP. Williams was part of the winningest senior class in school history, claiming three Big Sky titles and making four playoff appearances.
Over 54 games for the Wildcats, Williams recorded 15 sacks, which ranks ninth in school history. He also totaled 194 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
3. Served Latter-Day Saint mission
Williams graduated high school in 2013 but served a two-year Latter-Day Saint mission in Sao Paulo, Brazil, putting off his enrollment at Weber State until December 2015.
4. Athletic couple
Williams' wife, Kennedy, played volleyball at Weber State. The two were married in 2019, and they recently announced they're expecting a baby boy in May.
5. Earned his degree
Williams graduated from Weber State in December 2019 with a degree in business administration and finance.
