John Carlson

The Vikings had a few players miss practice Tuesday in preparation for their game Thursday night at home against Tampa Bay. Tight end John Carlson (concussion) and running back Adrian Peterson (ankle) missed practice. Carlson isn't expected to play Thursday night while Peterson sat for precautionary reasons.

The Vikings have welcomed tight end John Carlson back to practice Sunday after missing 3 preseason games and numerous practices with a knee sprain. Carlson is a Litchfield native that was considered the highest profile free agent signing the Vikings had in the offseason. Carlson is expected to backup starter Kyle Rudolph. Carlson is expected to play at Houston in their final preseason game Thursday night at 6pm, pregame on WJON at 5:00.

Viking tight end John Carlson has a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his knee will according to head coach Leslie Frazier will miss 1-2 weeks. Carlson is expected to see significant action at tight end this season along with 2nd year tight end Kyle Rudolph. Carlson is a Litchfield, Minnesota native who played his college football at Notre Dame and played professionally in Seattle before signing a free agent contract with the Vikings in the off-season.

The Minnesota Vikings began organized team activities at Winter Park in Eden Prairie Wednesday. Starting quarterback Christian Ponder attended the event all with the newly drafted rookies and free agent signees and some veterans. Among the free agents trying to make the team are receiver Marcus Fitzgerald, the younger brother of Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals. Marcus Fitzgerald playing college football at Marshall University.

The Vikings have reportedly agreed to sign free agent tight end John Carlson from Litchfield, Minnesota Wednesday to a 5-year $25 Million contract. Carlson visited the Vikings facility today and agreed to the deal. Carlson was a 2nd round pick by Seattle in 2008 but missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.