EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings waited for the major dominoes to fall in free agency and are now getting active a week after the March 13 start.
The team on Tuesday signed fullback Jerome Felton, who spent the final five games of the 2011 season with the Indianapolis Colts, starting two games. Felton, 25, had zero carries and two catches for Indianapolis after beginning last season with Carolina, where he played nine games, starting one, and had three carries and two catches. The blocking specialist adds to a suddenly crowded backfield for the Vikings, who signed Lex Hilliard from the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night.
Felton — 6-foot, 246 pounds — reportedly visited Minnesota's team facilities Tuesday. The Vikings reportedly tried to claim Felton off waivers last summer when he was cut by Detroit, but he was claimed by Carolina. With longtime tight end Jim Kleinsasser retiring, Minnesota is looking to fill his role as a standout blocker. Ryan D'Imperio saw time at fullback last season, and Matt Asiata is also on the roster. Hilliard, is a 5-foot-11, 240-pounder can play both running back positions.
Star running back Adrian Peterson is still recovering from knee surgery at the end of last season. Backup Toby Gerhart suffered a knee injury of his own in the season finale last year but didn't need surgery and has been working out this offseason. Young backs Jordan Todman and Caleb King are also on the roster. Lorenzo Booker is an unrestricted free agent and likely won't return.
Felton was selected in the fifth round of the 2008 draft out of Furman by the Lions, who he played with for the first three seasons of his career. He played in 42 games for Detroit, starting 16. He had a career-high 22 carries for 76 yards in 2010 and career-highs with 13 catches for 133 yards in 2009. He's never scored a touchdown.
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