The Minnesota Vikings have signed offensive lineman Julian Pearl to their practice squad after he worked out with the team on Monday. This move comes in response to the season-ending injuries sustained by left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who tore his ACL and MCL during a recent game against Los Angeles. The Vikings have used their mini-bye following a loss to the Rams to assess potential solutions to bolster their offensive line.
Pearl, 25, went undrafted in 2024 but was initially signed as a rookie free agent by the Baltimore Ravens in May. After being released during the Ravens’ final roster cuts, Pearl remained a free agent until joining the Vikings. He spent five years at Illinois, earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors in 2022 and 2023.
Over his college career, he started 23 consecutive games at left tackle and helped the Fighting Illini’s offensive line earn a Joe Moore Award semifinalist spot in 2022. Additionally, Pearl has experience playing across multiple positions on the offensive line, including left tackle, right tackle, and right guard.
Pearl is recognized for his size and physical traits, including a 7-foot-1 wingspan and good lateral movement. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein has noted that Pearl’s development into a potential swing tackle at the NFL level will depend on improving his pass protection and upper-body strength. Pearl’s versatility and physical attributes could make him a valuable depth piece for the Vikings’ offensive line, especially as they adjust to the loss of Darrisaw.
