Vikings sign Brett Jones, Josh Metellus to 53-man roster

The Minnesota Vikings signed center Brett Jones and safety Josh Metellus to their 53-man roster on Friday.

Jones takes the place of injured guard Pat Elflein, who was placed on injured reserve Thursday. To make room on the roster for Metellus, the Vikings waived defensive back Nate Meadors.

Elflein started Minnesota’s season-opening game against Green Bay at right guard. He has to miss at least three games while on injured reserve.

Jones likely won’t start at right guard on Sunday against Indianapolis, but he will take Elflein’s place on the depth chart as the backup center behind Garrett Bradbury.

Jones has been with Minnesota since he started the first three games of the 2018 season at center. He’s played 16 total contests the past two seasons.

Dru Samia is the favorite to start at right guard against the Colts. It would be Samia’s first career start.

Metellus was selected by Minnesota in the sixth round of the 2020 draft. He was signed to the practice squad after being waived during the final rounds of cuts.