Michael Pierce
FILE - Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. DeCosta feels the Ravens have generally been pretty conservative in the draft when it comes to injuries. That's a relevant issue after a decimated Baltimore team dropped six straight at the end of last season to miss the playoffs. The Ravens will certainly hope for better luck in 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Ravens pick higher than usual after injury-filled season

By Noah Trister Apr. 22, 2022 07:34 PM EDT

FILE - Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) reacts to first half injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Baltimore. DeCosta feels the Ravens have generally been pretty conservative in the draft when it comes to injuries. That's a relevant issue after a decimated Baltimore team dropped six straight at the end of last season to miss the playoffs. The Ravens will certainly hope for better luck in 2022. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)
Baltimore Ravens enter draft with 9 picks in first 4 rounds

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 11:55 AM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Michael Pierce (58) reacts during his introduction prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021 in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Vikings kept up their defensive line shuffle by finalizing the release of nose tackle Michael Pierce on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, for salary cap savings ahead of free agency. The seventh-year veteran played in only eight games for the team.(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
Vikings continue defensive shuffle by adding LB Jordan Hicks

By Dave Campbell Mar. 15, 2022 11:25 AM EDT

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, left, fumbles the ball as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler (27) and Xavier Woods close in during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Vikings won't have CB Cameron Dantzler for Packers game

Jan. 02, 2022 07:08 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings 12/26/2021

Dec. 26, 2021 01:37 PM EST

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) passes between Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) and defensive end D.J. Wonnum during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Hard-to-figure Vikings still trudging ahead in playoff chase

By Dave Campbell Dec. 21, 2021 06:58 PM EST

FILE - Los Angeles Rams running backs coach Thomas Brown is shown during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. Brown was a five-star running back destined for the University of Georgia back then in the early 2000s, his mind focused on the Bulldogs and the NFL. He hadn't even imagined trading in his cleats for a whistle — “I was adamant about not being a coach,” he says with a grin.(AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Rams assistant Brown capitalizing on opportunity from McVay

By Greg Beacham Dec. 17, 2021 12:23 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings 12/9/2021

Dec. 09, 2021 08:13 PM EST

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker sports an Oxford decal, honoring the students killed at the high school this week, during pregame of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions 12/5/2021

Dec. 05, 2021 01:01 PM EST

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) gets away from Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Vikings bring DT Tomlinson back from COVID-19 reserve list

Dec. 02, 2021 03:32 PM EST

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lions, Vikings both desperate for win for different reasons

By The Associated Press Dec. 02, 2021 11:09 AM EST

Green Bay Packers tight end Josiah Deguara (81) celebrates in front of Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) after catching a 25-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings need Smith to keep up strong return from COVID-19

By Dave Campbell Dec. 01, 2021 09:10 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) is carted off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Vikings deem Dalvin Cook 'day to day' with shoulder injury

By Dave Campbell Nov. 29, 2021 06:46 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Vikings, 49ers head into meeting on upswings in NFC

By Josh Dubow Nov. 26, 2021 11:51 AM EST

FILE - Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen stands on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Oct. 10, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Vikings had psychologists at Griffen's home on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021 to work with police on guiding him through another alarming mental health situation, with the 12th-year player refusing to come out of his house. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, file)
Vikings relieved Everson Griffen crisis ends 'peacefully'

By Brian Hall Nov. 24, 2021 01:14 PM EST

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) gets away from Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Vikings place DT Dalvin Tomlinson on COVID-19 reserve list

Nov. 23, 2021 04:34 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, right, catches a 23-yard touchdown pass ahead of Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 34-31. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Jefferson gives Vikings go-to target, and big-game mentality

By Dave Campbell Nov. 22, 2021 06:08 PM EST

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton celebrates after a touchdown pass against the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
The Latest: Cardinals win again, own NFL's best record

By The Associated Press Nov. 21, 2021 11:47 AM EST

Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon (28) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
1st-place Packers visit Vikings, with Dillon at RB for Jones

By The Associated Press Nov. 18, 2021 11:10 AM EST

Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
The Latest: Packers blank Seahawks, retake 1st place in NFC

By The Associated Press Nov. 14, 2021 11:16 AM EST