McLeod Bethel-Thompson finds new job with 49ers

Published Oct. 9, 2013 6:35 p.m. ET

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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings were bound to lose someone when they signed Josh Freeman this week from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wednesday, Minnesota learned it wouldn't have a chance to keep McLeod Bethel-Thompson around on the practice squad.

Bethel-Thompson was released Tuesday when the Vikings officially signed Freeman to a one-year contract. The San Francisco 49ers claimed Bethel-Thompson, a big-armed project who had spent two years as Minnesota's third quarterback. San Francisco released John Skelton to make room on the active roster for Bethel-Thompson.

Bethel-Thompson, 25, originally signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2011. The Vikings gave him a spot on the active roster out of training camp in 2012 as a developmental third quarterback. He was a game-day inactive all of 2012, but was active and backed up Joe Webb for the playoff game in Green Bay with starter Christian Ponder injured.

Bethel-Thompson was inactive the first three games this season, but was the backup to Matt Cassel in Minnesota's last game in London before the bye with Ponder out again.

Vikings add a defensive end: Minnesota made a claim of its own on waivers Wednesday, adding defensive end Justin Trattou from the New York Giants and releasing George Johnson to make room on the 53-man roster.

Trattou, 25, was originally signed by New York as an undrafted free agent out of Florida in 2011. He played in six games in 2011 with one tackle. He spent 2012 on injured reserve with an ankle injury and returned this season to play in the first five games for the Giants with three tackles.

Vikings getting healthier: Last week's bye might have come at a good time for Minnesota's secondary.

Cornerback Chris Cook (groin) and safety Jamarca Sanford (hamstring) returned to practice this week for the Vikings after missing the last game against Pittsburgh. The two starters were listed as limited on Wednesday's injury report.

Without Cook and Rhodes, Minnesota started Marcus Sherels and Josh Robinson at cornerback with rookie Xavier Rhodes remaining as the third cornerback. Andrew Sendejo started at safety for Sanford and rotated with Mistral Raymond, who was active for the first time this season.

Tight end Rhett Ellison (knee) has missed the past two games, but practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. Quarterback Christian Ponder (rib) and defensive tackle Kevin Williams were limited.

The Carolina Panthers, Sunday's opponent, had four players out from practice on Wednesday. Defensive tackle Dwan Edwards (hamstring), rookie safety Robert Lester (hamstring), cornerback D.J. Moore (knee) and tight end Greg Olsen (foot) didn't practice.

Love gets another shot: Offensive tackle DeMarcus Love, who was released by Minnesota two weeks ago after serving a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars' active roster on Wednesday.

Love, a 2011 seventh-round draft pick by the Vikings, had signed with Jacksonville's practice squad after being released.

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