EAGAN, Minn. — Two familiar faces are returning to the Vikings.

The team announced Monday it signed defensive lineman Jonathan Harris and tight end Matt Lauter. Minnesota waived third-year defensive lineman Taki Taimani and rookie cornerback Tyreek Chappell with injury designations in corresponding moves.

The 30-year-old Harris originally signed with Minnesota in December 2024 and spent the 2025 season on the Vikings practice squad before he was released in January of this year.

In 40 career games (nine starts), the 6-foot-5, 295-pound Harris has produced 91 tackles, including seven for losses, one sack and seven quarterback hits. Harris recorded the bulk of those stats — 43 tackles and a sack — over 17 games and five starts for Denver in 2023.

Harris joined Chicago in 2019 as an undrafted free agent out of Lindenwood, which was a Division-II program at the time, and he stayed with the Bears until late October that season. Harris joined Denver soon thereafter and played 31 games for the Broncos through 2023.

Harris also had a brief stint with Miami and made seven appearances for Carolina in 2024.

The veteran DL rejoins a room that has added draft picks Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange, plus 28-year-old Isaiahh Loudermilk, among others, since his initial departure.

Lauter, a Boise State product, participated in Vikings Rookie Minicamp on a tryout basis in May.

He grew up in San Diego, California, where he attended Torrey Pines High School and especially garnered attention during his junior season — recording 20 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to logging 47 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception on defense.

Lauter redshirted as a freshman in 2021 and the next season appeared in all 14 games.

During his junior season for the Broncos, Lauter racked up 47 catches for 619 yards and seven receiving touchdowns, which ranked first in the conference and earned him First-Team All-Mountain West honors. He was credited with 381 yards after the catch.

Lauter played in 13 games in 2025, making eight starts, and finished the season with 37 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns.

He finished his collegiate career with 1,146 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, ranking third all-time among Boise State tight ends.

The Raiders signed Lauter as an undrafted free agent on April 30 but waived him two days later. He also was with the Titans briefly this offseason.

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