MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota's final cuts Saturday included no major surprises, and the only real intrigue revolved around the No. 3 quarterback job. And even that seemed like a foregone conclusion.
As expected, rookie John David Booty got the nod over veteran Brooks Bollinger to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. The Vikings jettisoned 20 players, placed safety Michael Boulware on injured reserve because of a broken wrist and moved left tackle Bryant McKinnie to reserve-suspended.
A handful of those players released likely will end up on the eight-man practice squad once they clear waivers. Teams have until 11 a.m. today to claim players off waivers, and the Vikings could continue to tweak their active roster. The practice squad can be established today.
Vikings coach Brad Childress was not made available to comment on the roster moves.
The Vikings also had to adjust for the McKinnie suspension. McKinnie is exempt from the 53-man roster while he serves a four-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
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The team still kept eight offensive linemen, including rookie free agent Drew Radovich, who worked with the second team at left tackle until a shoulder injury sidelined him.
The race for the No. 3 quarterback job attracted the most attention as the final cutdown loomed. Neither Booty nor Bollinger, a former Grand Forks Central athlete, distinguished himself during their training camp competition.
Booty, however, figured to get the nod because the team traded up to take him in the draft, and it would be difficult for the Vikings to get him through waivers and onto their practice squad.
Both quarterbacks played one half in the team's final preseason game Thursday at Dallas in one last attempt to impress the coaching staff. It didn't work out that way. Vikings coach Brad Childress called both of their performances "average" and was clearly upset with their play.
"Average is about the worst thing you can say about somebody," Childress said.
Booty finished the preseason by completing 22 of 41 passes for 203 yards with three interceptions and no touchdowns. Bollinger was 14 of 35 for 133 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Bollinger spent the past two seasons as a backup with the Vikings after being acquired from the New York Jets in August 2006 for defensive tackle C.J. Mosley and a draft pick. Bollinger, who played college football at Wisconsin, saw action in seven games with Minnesota, getting his lone start in a 34-0 loss at Green Bay last November.
Bollinger, entering his sixth season, is not subject to the waiver system and immediately becomes a free agent.
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Also, Minnesota placed safety Michael Boulware on injured reserve. Boulware was apparently hurt Thursday night in the final exhibition game.
Mustard cut
by Broncos
Former UND tight end Chad Mustard was cut by the Denver Broncos.
The fifth-year player was in his third season with the Broncos.
Mustard had started in six games with Denver since 2006.
Packers cut Herron, Morency
Running backs Noah Herron and Vernand Morency were among 19 players released by the Green Bay Packers.
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Fullback Corey White was also released.
With the moves, the Packers enter the season with three halfbacks in starter Ryan Grant, backup Brandon Jackson and undrafted rookie free agent Kregg Lumpkin and two fullbacks in Korey Hall and John Kuhn.
