EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly added to the competition at running back.
Multiple reports have said Minnesota signed Lex Hilliard, who played his first three NFL seasons for the Miami Dolphins and started four games last season, to a one-year contract. Hilliard, 27, had 16 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown last season, and caught five passes for 49 yards.
The 5-foot-11, 240-pounder can play both running back positions adds to the depth at the position for the Vikings behind Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart. Peterson is still recovering from knee surgery at the end of last season. Gerhart also suffered a knee injury in the season finale last year, but didn’t need surgery and has been working out this offseason.
Hilliard, who will likely need to contribute on special teams as well, joins a group in the backfield that includes young backs Jordan Todman and Caleb King and fullbacks Ryan D’Imperio and Matt Asiata. Lorenzo Booker is an unrestricted free agent and likely won’t return.
Hilliard was drafted by Miami in the sixth round of the 2008 draft out of Montana and spent the 2008 season on the team’s practice squad. He had 23 carries for 89 yards and 20 catches for 158 yards with three total touchdowns in his first time on the active roster in 2009, playing in all 16 games.
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