Eden Prairie, MN -- (Sports Network) - Quarterback John David Booty, linebacker David Herron, and cornerback Marcus McCauley were among the most prominent names chopped from the Minnesota Vikings roster on Saturday, as the team got down to the 53-player maximum.

It had been speculated that Booty, the former USC star and fifth-round 2008 draft choice, might make the team as a third-stringer after the team signed Brett Favre last month. Many believed that veteran quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was the more likely candidate to be moved after seemingly losing his chance to start, but that prediction did not materialize, and Booty was released.

Herron participated in 14 games a year ago, starting three, but the return of E.J. Henderson made the former Michigan State standout expendable. Henderson missed 13 games last season due to injury, but has returned to the lineup.

McCauley, a third-round choice out of Fresno State in the 2007 draft, started 10 games with the Vikes in 2007-08 but could not overcome a reputation of being inconsistent.

Also released on Saturday were safety Colt Anderson, fullback Nehemiah Broughton, defensive end Martail Burnett, tackle Chris Clark, guard Brian Daniels, center Juan Garcia, defensive end Otis Grigsby, safety De'von Hall, defensive tackle Antoine Holmes, running back Ian Johnson, defensive tackle Tremaine Johnson, guard Andy Kemp, tight end Garrett Mills, wide receiver Nick Moore, tight end Jake Nordin, wide receiver Vinny Perretta, tackle Drew Radovich, cornerback Marcus Walker, and wide receiver Bobby Williams.

Notables among that group include Grigsby, who played in eight games with the Vikings last season; Ian Johnson, the former Boise State star, and Mills, an eight-game participant with Minnesota last season.

The Vikings will commence their regular season on Sept. 13, when they travel to meet the Cleveland Browns to kick off the Brett Favre era.