The Minnesota Vikings are adding depth to the quarterback position by signing veteran free agent Desmond Ridder to the 53-man roster, the NFL Network reported on Tuesday.
Starter J.J. McCarthy is week-to-week with a high ankle sprain, with veteran Carson Wentz is set to start and rookie Max Brosmer his backup before Ridder’s arrival.
The Cincinnati Bengals signed Ridder, 26, in July and released him on Aug. 26.
The Atlanta Falcons selected Ridder in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Cincinnati.
Ridder went 2-2 as a starter as a rookie, then 6-7 in his second season in Atlanta. He lost his only start while making six appearances for the Las Vegas Raiders last season.
His career totals are 374-of-588 passing (63.6 percent) for 4,002 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 25 games (18 starts). He also rushed for five touchdowns with the Falcons in 2023.
The Vikings on Sunday host the Bengals, who lost starting quarterback Joe Burrow (turf toe) last Sunday against Jacksonville.
Cincinnati bolstered the depth behind new starter Jake Browning by elevating Brett Rypien from the practice squad and signing Sean Clifford and Mike White to the practice squad on Tuesday.