Kentrell Brothers is back. The team announced that they’ve activated the linebacker from the exempt list. To make room on the roster, the team waived offensive guard Bryan Witzmann.
Brothers, 25, was handed a four-game suspension back in April for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. The 2016 fifth-round pick accepted the punishment, saying he was unaware that the unnamed substance was banned.
“While it was not my intention to violate any league policies, I understand that it is up to me to be aware of what goes in my body, and I take full responsibility for that,” Brothers said. “I sincerely apologize to the Vikings organization, my teammates and our fans for my mistake. I take my job as a professional seriously and will continue to support my teammates during this time.”
The linebacker was allowed to participate in the Vikings’ entire offseason program, including preseason practices and games.
While Brothers will slide behind Eric Kendricks and Devante Downs on the middle linebacker depth chart, he’ll still earn playing time due to his special teams prowess. He only played eight defensive snaps in 2018, earning the majority of his 13 tackles on special teams. He’ll be joining a Vikings grouping that’s allowed the lowest kickoff return average in the NFL (15.3 yards). The team is also tied for sixth for the lowest punt return average (5.2 yards).