**Vikings Sign Former Texans Cornerback Jacobi Francis**
According to Houston insider Aaron Wilson, the Minnesota Vikings are adding former Texans cornerback Jacobi Francis to their roster. This move comes in response to Mekhi Blackmon’s season-ending ACL injury, which occurred on Wednesday, creating a need for additional depth in the Vikings’ secondary.
Jacobi Francis, 25, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Memphis in 2022. He was initially signed by the Houston Texans, where he played in five games during his rookie season, primarily contributing on special teams. Last year, Francis was part of the Texans’ practice squad until he was released in October. Now, he will have the opportunity to compete for a spot on either the Vikings’ main roster or their practice squad.
Standing 5’11” and weighing 194 pounds, Francis brings versatility to the cornerback position, having experience playing both outside corner and in the slot. He joins a competitive group at the bottom of the Vikings’ cornerback depth chart, which includes Andrew Booth Jr., A.J. Green III, Jaylin Williams, and undrafted rookie Dwight McGlothern. The team’s primary cornerbacks are expected to be Byron Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin, Akayleb Evans, and Duke Shelley.
While Francis adds depth, the Vikings may still pursue additional moves to strengthen their cornerback position as the season progresses.
Jabril Cox Signs with Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have announced the signing of former North Dakota State linebacker Jabril Cox, effective Thursday, July 25.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 235 pounds, Cox brings valuable experience to the Vikings. Last season, he played for the Washington Commanders and spent the previous two years with the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys drafted Cox in the fourth round (115th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Cox enjoyed a successful college career at North Dakota State, where he played from 2017 to 2019. During his tenure, he participated in 45 games and helped the Bison secure NCAA Division I FCS national championships in each of those seasons. Over his three years with North Dakota State, Cox accumulated 258 total tackles, 14 sacks, and six interceptions.
Before concluding his college career, Cox transferred to Louisiana State University (LSU) for the 2020 season. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he made a significant impact in his single season with the Tigers, recording 58 total tackles and three interceptions across 10 games. LSU, competing in the Southeastern Conference, provided Cox with further exposure to top-tier college football competition.
In his first three NFL seasons, Cox has played in 26 games, primarily contributing on special teams with 511 snaps, and has logged 46 snaps on defense. He has accumulated a total of 10 tackles during this period.
With 16 former North Dakota State players currently on NFL rosters, Cox joins a notable list of alumni making their mark in professional football. His addition to the Vikings aims to bolster the team’s linebacker depth and special teams contributions.
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