The Vikings have expanded their tight ends room for the second time this week.

Robert Tonyan (pronounced TUN-yin), a veteran, has signed with Minnesota, the team announced on Thursday.

There are 24 starts and 85 games of experience with the acquisition. Additionally, Tonyan gets to spend time with every team in the NFC North.

The product of Illinois was let go during final cuts prior to his 2017 season debut as an undrafted free agent with Detroit. On December 4, 2017, he signed with Green Bay’s practice squad. In 2018, he was added to the active roster. Through the 2022 season, Tonyan was paired with Aaron Jones, the new running back for the Vikings.

The Vikings waived undrafted rookie in order to make room for Tonyan on the 90-man roster.

Donovan Manuel is a rookie free agent linebacker.

Before joining the Bears in 2023, Tonyan played in 68 games (18 starts) with Green Bay, where he caught 137 catches for 1,437 yards and 17 touchdowns. Among all NFL players in 2020, his 11 touchdown catches tied for seventh place.

He caught 11 catches from Bears quarterbacks last season for 112 yards on 17 targets.

Tonyan has faced the Vikings ten times in his playing career; he participated in both of Minnesota’s and Chicago’s games last season, as well as eight Border Battles while with Green Bay.

Tonyan was taught by Vikings passing game coordinator and tight ends coach Brian Angelichio in Green Bay in 2018.

From 2012 until 2016, Tonyan attended Indiana State for his collegiate career. He started one season as quarterback for the Sycamores before moving to receiver.
Tight end Sammis Reyes, a native of Chile, joined the Vikings on Monday via the International Pathway Program after taking part in a professional tryout during the team’s rookie minicamp the previous weekend.

Minnesota has seven players in its room for tight ends: Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Trey Knox, Nick Muse, T.J. Hockenson, and Reyes as well as Tonyan.