Michael Pierce
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce (97) celebrates his fumble recovery with linebacker Tyus Bowser (54) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Baltimore. After opting out of the 2020 season due to health concerns around COVID-19, Michael Pierce has returned to the Minnesota Vikings, eager to establish himself at a nose tackle position in need of help. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Vikes' Pierce had regrets about opt-out, but made most of it

By Dave Campbell Apr. 14, 2021 08:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, file photo, New York Giants nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson looks on against the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, in Seattle. In a deal announced late Monday, March 15, 2021, the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a contract with former New York Giants defensive tackle Tomlinson. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer, File)
'Our big prize': Vikes laud Tomlinson's size, skill, smarts

By Dave Campbell Mar. 18, 2021 06:00 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, file photo, New York Giants nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson looks on against the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, in Seattle. In a deal announced late Monday, March 15, 2021, the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a contract with former New York Giants defensive tackle Tomlinson. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer, File)
Vikings continue defense revamp, release DT Shamar Stephen

Mar. 16, 2021 04:48 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, file photo, New York Giants nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson looks on against the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game, in Seattle. In a deal announced late Monday, March 15, 2021, the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a contract with former New York Giants defensive tackle Tomlinson. (AP Photo/Larry Maurer, File)
Vikings agree to deal with ex-Giants DT Dalvin Tomlinson

By Dave Campbell Mar. 16, 2021 12:11 AM EDT

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) tries in vain to pull in a pass over New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the end zone in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. The Saints won 52-33. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Vikings enter offseason with deteriorated defense to repair

By Dave Campbell Jan. 04, 2021 06:29 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, left, runs from Chicago Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (96) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings' offense can't make up for depleted defense

By Brian Hall Dec. 21, 2020 06:29 PM EST

FILE - Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock, center, jokes with backup quarterbacks Jeff Driskel, left, and Brett Rypien during an NFL football practice in Englewood, Colo., in this Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, file photo. The Broncos activated three quarterbacks—starter Lock and backups Rypien and Blake Bortles—from the COVID-19 list Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, to insure that the team will not be without quarterbacks on the roster for the game against the Chiefs in Kansas City on Sunday as the Broncos were last Sunday when hosting the New Orleans Saints. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
The virus's toll: How 32 NFL teams have been hit by COVID-19

By The Associated Press Dec. 04, 2020 04:32 PM EST

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Unbeaten Titans bring blueprint of what winless Vikings were

By Dave Campbell Sep. 24, 2020 06:31 PM EDT

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Rivers looks to rebound from 2 interceptions in Colts opener

By Michael Marot Sep. 16, 2020 05:26 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer walks on the field before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif. With a new offensive coordinator this season in 58-year-old Gary Kubiak, Zimmer, 64, has renewed energy for the job of trying to take the Vikings to that Super Bowl the franchise has never won. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Zimmer, remodeled Vikings defense not buying regression

By Dave Campbell Aug. 27, 2020 04:54 PM EDT

Ravens hope Jackson and upgraded D lead to Super Bowl run

By The Associated Press Aug. 26, 2020 01:27 PM EDT
BALTIMORE RAVENS (14-3) New faces: : DE Calais Campbell, DE Derek Wolfe, G D.J. Fluker, LB Patrick Queen, RB J.K. Dobbins, WR Devin...

Vikings will lean on continuity to overcome key departures

By The Associated Press Aug. 26, 2020 01:00 PM EDT
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (11-7) NEW FACES: DE Yannick Ngakoue, WR Justin Jefferson, CB Jeff Gladney, CB Cameron Dantzler, WR Tajaé Sharpe, WR/PR...

List of players to opt out of playing the 2020 NFL season

By The Associated Press Aug. 06, 2020 05:36 PM EDT
Players who have opted out of playing the 2020 NFL season because of the coronavirus: Arizona Cardinals — T Marcus Gilbert ...

Vikings-Raiders trade rescinded after PJ Hall fails physical

Aug. 04, 2020 06:03 PM EDT
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The trade that sent defensive tackle P.J. Hall from Las Vegas to Minnesota for a conditional draft pick has been negated after Hall failed a...

Vikings land DT P.J. Hall in deal with Raiders for late pick

By Dave Campbell Aug. 03, 2020 05:58 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings acquired defensive tackle P.J. Hall from the Oakland Raiders for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2021,...

Vikings place LB Barr on COVID reserve; 8th player on list

Jul. 30, 2020 05:51 PM EDT
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings placed linebacker Anthony Barr on the reserve list for COVID-19 on Thursday, the eighth player they've designated...

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Minneapolis. The Vikings signed head coach Zimmer on Friday, July 24, 2020, to a three-year contract extension through the 2023 season. Zimmer’s record with the Vikings over six years is 57-38-1, plus 2-3 in the postseason. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
New Vikings DT Pierce, asthma sufferer, opts out of season

By Dave Campbell Jul. 28, 2020 09:38 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 file photo, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (97) follows a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. Defensive end Joey Bosa has agreed to a six-year, $135 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to multiple people familiar with the decision. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday, July 28, 2020 because the contract has not been finalized.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
NFL training camps opening with eye on baseball, babysitting

By Barry Wilner Jul. 28, 2020 05:19 PM EDT

Ravens look to rebound after quick playoff exit

Jul. 20, 2020 02:59 PM EDT
BALTIMORE RAVENS (14-3) CAMP SITE: Owings Mills, Maryland LAST YEAR: Baltimore rode record-setting offense to best...

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson (2) runs against Oklahoma cornerback Woodi Washington (5) during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA semifinal college football playoff game in Atlanta. This year’s NFL draft features a superb group of wide receivers, including Jefferson, who are expected to make immediate impacts in the NFL.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Vikings draft LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson at No. 22

By Dave Campbell Apr. 23, 2020 11:05 PM EDT