51 Hercules Mata'afa DE

Mata'afa has been signed to the Vikings' active roster.

Mata'afa was originally waived by the Vikings in mid-October after five games. He recorded one tackle during that span. He will now return to the team and look to earn a bigger role, but he figures to provide depth on the defensive line out of the gate.

Mata'afa was waived by the Vikings on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old had one tackle in three games over the first five games of the season but has now lost his roster spot. Mata'afa could stick with the Vikings on the practice squad if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Mata'afa had a tackle and played on 10 of the defense's 78 snaps in Sunday's loss to Green Bay.

Mata'afa showed improvement in training camp, but he'll have a limited reserve role as he enters his third professional season.

Mata'afa played 26 of the defense's 74 snaps in Sunday's win over Atlanta. He had two QB hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.

The undrafted free agent out of Washington State missed all of last season with a torn ACL. He's back to full strength and made the roster as a reserve defensive lineman.

Mata'afa has fully recovered from a torn ACL he suffered in OTAs last season, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

After joining the Vikings as an undrafted free agent out of Washington State, Mata'afa made a positive impression in workouts before tearing his ACL in June. The Vikings toyed with using the undersized Mata'afa (6-foot-2, 254 pounds) at linebacker before his injury, but he's back to playing defensive tackle as he prepares for the 2019 campaign.