The Minnesota Vikings released former University of Miami running back Deejay Dallas on Friday, clearing a roster spot for the return of Jordan Mason, via the NFL transaction wire.
Mason, who fractured his thumb in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers and was placed on injured reserve in mid-September, is expected to be activated for Sunday’s game.
Dallas, who is not subject to waivers, could potentially re-sign to the Vikings’ practice squad as early as Saturday, though nothing is guaranteed.
For Hurricanes fans, the move is another reminder of the winding path Dallas has taken since leaving Coral Gables.
The Brunswick, Georgia, product arrived at Miami as a versatile athlete and quickly developed into a reliable backfield option.
Over three seasons (2017-2019), he rushed for 1,527 yards and 17 touchdowns on 265 carries while adding 317 receiving yards and two more scores. His 2019 junior campaign stood out: 693 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games before a late-season elbow injury ended his college career.
Dallas entered the 2020 NFL Draft after forgoing his senior year and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round (No. 144 overall).
His NFL career has been defined by versatility rather than starring roles—primarily as a complementary back and special-teams contributor. He has played for the Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, and Jacksonville Jaguars before landing in Minnesota this September.
After being waived by the Jaguars at the end of training camp, Dallas signed to the Vikings’ practice squad on September 2.
He was elevated for the season opener, then promoted to the active roster when Mason went on injured reserve. In five games with Minnesota, he logged 40 offensive snaps and 92 on special teams, totaling seven touches for 44 yards.
The release is hardly a surprise given Mason’s recovery, but it fits a familiar pattern for the 28-year-old.
Dallas has repeatedly found opportunities after roster cuts, leaning on the same traits that made him valuable at Miami: toughness, special-teams reliability, and the ability to contribute in multiple ways.
For Canes alumni watching from South Florida, it’s another chapter in a career that began with big runs and return scores in the orange and green and has continued through persistence at the professional level.
Whether he returns to the Vikings’ practice squad or finds another opportunity elsewhere, Dallas’ next move will likely involve the same steady approach that has kept him in the league for seven seasons.
