MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have kept undrafted rookie Taylor Heinicke as their third quarterback and underdog cornerback Marcus Sherels for the fifth straight season.

Marcus Sherels
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The NFL's roster reduction deadline for the regular season was Saturday, when the Vikings acquired offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles in a trade with San Diego and released 22 players to reach the 53-player limit.

With Teddy Bridgewater entrenched as the starter and veteran Shaun Hill on board this year as the backup, the Vikings weren't a lock to keep a third quarterback. Heinicke, after a record-setting career at Old Dominion, had a strong preseason.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Sherels was undrafted out of Minnesota in 2010. His career average of 10.5 yards per punt return is the best in Vikings history.

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