The Minnesota Vikings have added another running back while they wait for Adrian Peterson's status to resolve.
Former Green Bay Packers running back DuJuan Harris signed a one-year contract with Minnesota, the team confirmed on Thursday.
Harris, 26, played in 15 games last season for Green Bay. He had 16 carries for 64 yards and 22 kickoff returns for a 20.7-yard average. Set to be a exclusive rights free agent, Harris wasn't extended a qualifying offer by the Packers leaving him to sign freely with another team.
Green Bay signed Harris, who went undrafted out of Troy in 2011, in 2012 when the running back was working at a car dealership. After being promoted from the practice squad late in 2012, Harris had 34 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
But Harris missed the entire 2103 season with a knee injury and rookie Eddie Lacy became the Packers' lead running back with James Starks as the top backup.
Harris first saw NFL action in 2011, playing in five games for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who had signed Harris as a rookie free agent.
Minnesota has re-signed leading rusher Matt Asiata this offseason and has Jerick McKinnon returning after a promising rookie season. But the Vikings are awaiting a resolution with Peterson, who is the franchise's all-time leading rusher.
The team has supported a return from Peterson, who missed all but one game last season because of child abuse charges. Peterson has expressed uneasiness in a potential return and his status is still up in the air. Peterson's agent, Ben Dogra, reportedly said he was told Wednesday that the team would not release Peterson. A trade is still possible as the Vikings and the running back try to come to an agreement.
Peterson is signed for three more seasons and is due to make $12.75 million in base salary in 2015 and would count $15.4 million against Minnesota's salary cap.
Peterson is currently on the commissioner's exempt list as his legal battle with the NFL continues. Peterson, who was suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell, and the NFL are trying to have the running back reinstated immediately. The case is awaiting a hearing in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
