Randy Moss did not appear on waivers for 24 hours because Vikings owner Zygi Wilf was furious about being circumvented by coach Brad Childress. The owner considered retaining Moss and firing Childress, according to a team source.
Childress and two team executives did not respond to emails and text messages sent by ESPN seeking comment.
Childress is under contract for three more seasons.
Moss was claimed by the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday after just four games after Minnesota. Moss was acquired by the Vikings in a midseason trade with the New England Patriots.
Wilf, who lives in New Jersey, spent much of the past week observing practices and meeting individually with Vikings players. One of the players who participated in such a meeting told ESPN he sensed Wilf was attempting to determine how much support remained for Childress among veteran players and wanted to remind them they could still make the playoffs.
Childress admitted he expects a negative reception from the Minnesota crowd on Sunday.