The Browns have acquired Edge Za'Darius Smith from the Vikings for a mere swap of draft picks. Minnesota has been expected to move on from Smith this offseason to save salary cap. The 30-year-old rebounded from losing nearly all of 2021 to injury, racking up 80 total pressures in his lone Vikings season, according to Pro Football Focus. That marked the second-largest total of his career, and Smith has earned elite-level pass-rushing grades from PFF in each of his last three healthy campaigns. He should play lead snaps opposite Myles Garrett in Cleveland, though free-agent addition Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will factor into the rotation as well.

The Vikings are signing EDGE Marcus Davenport to a one-year, $13 million deal, according to multiple reports. It's a good-sized "prove it" opportunity for the former first-round pick, who managed just a half-sack, 2 tackles for loss and 8 QB hits over 15 appearances with the Saints last season. Davenport topped out at 9 sacks (in 11 games) the year before but clearly disappointed across five years in New Orleans. Injuries played a big role. So we'll see whether he can hit 2023 healthy, stay there, and repay the Vikings for the opportunity. His arrival could signal the departure of EDGE Za'Darius Smith, who recently asked the team to let him pursue trade opportunities.

The Vikings have agreed to a contract restructure with LB Jordan Hicks that will keep the veteran around for 2023. That's noteworthy because it comes shortly after Minnesota released longtime LB Eric Kendricks. Hicks turns 31 in June and saw his playing time slip late last season. That included snap shares of less than 70% in each of the final four contests (before the Vikings yanked most starters in a meaningless finale). We'd bet on Hicks remaining a 2023 starter, but he's far from a lock for full playing time. Youngsters Troy Dye and Brian Asamoah should compete for time as well. And we'll see whether the team makes any significant LB additions via free agency or the NFL Draft.

The Vikings are releasing LB Eric Kendricks, which will save the team $9.5 million in 2023 cap space. It was a necessary move for a team that hit the offseason among the furthest over the cap. Kendricks turned 31 at the end of February, so he likely doesn't have many productive NFL seasons left. We'd bet on him landing a 2023 opportunity somewhere, though. The veteran started every game last season for just the second time in his career and has started 113 of his 117 career appearances. Don't be surprised if Kendricks lingers on the open market until after the NFL Draft, though.

The Vikings have reached a deal to make Brian Flores their new DC. Flores spent last year as a defensive assistant in Pittsburgh after a messy breakup with the Dolphins. His Miami defenses improved from 32nd in Football Outsiders’ DVOA his first season to 11th and 10th in his final two. Before that, Flores spent 15 years under HC Bill Belichick in New England, including stints coaching safeties and LBs. He inherits a talented Vikings D that fell from 16th in 2021 DVOA to 27th this past season

Vikings S Harrison Smith (knee) is active for today's game against the Giants. CB Cameron Dantzler (ankle, personal matter) is out. Both entered the day questionable.

Vikings LB Eric Kendricks (hip) is active for today's game against the Giants. Use him as planned in your IDP lineups.

Vikings LB Eric Kendricks (hip) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Giants. He finished the week with a full Thursday workout after limited practices the previous 2 days. So we'd bet on Kendricks playing but will confirm his status Saturday morning. CB Cameron Dantzler (ankle) is also questionable.

Vikings EDGE Danielle Hunter (neck) is active for today's game against the Colts. He popped up on Wednesday's injury report as limited and remained limited Thursday before turning up questionable, but Hunter should be ready for IDP lineups in a high-ceiling matchup. DT Harrison Phillips (back) is also active.

Vikings LB Jordan Hicks left Sunday's loss to the Lions with a toe injury and did not return. He'll have a Monday MRI to determine the severity, HC Kevin O'Connell told reporters afterward. Brian Asamok checked in 3rd among Vikings non-edge LBs against the Lions but didn't pick up all the playing time that Hicks lost. We'll see about the replacement plan if Hicks misses further game action.

Vikings S Harrison Smith (neck) is inactive for today's game against the Lions.

The Vikings have activated CB Cameron Dantzler from IR. He has been out since suffering an ankle injury in Week 9 but worked as the outside starter opposite Patrick Peterson up to that point. Expect Dantzler to push CB Akayleb Evans back out of the lineup.

As expected, Vikings EDGE Za'Darius Smith (knee) is active for today's game against the Cowboys. He's likely to play limited snaps vs. his usual usage.

The Vikings expect EDGE Za'Darius Smith (knee) to play today against the Cowboys, but it sounds like his snaps could be limited vs. usual. "They'll be smart with him, given the quick turnaround for a Thanksgiving game, and make sure he's on the field in pass-rush situations," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. A Vikings beat writer before going national, Pelissero undoubtedly has insight into this situation. Smith, of course, is primarily useful to IDP lineups as a pass-rusher. So he's still usable for fantasy football today. But weigh his potential limitation vs. your other options. We knocked Smith down the Week 11 IDP rankings a little this morning.

Vikings EDGE Za'Darius Smith (knee) is active for today's game against the Saints.

Vikings EDGE Za'Darius Smith (knee) is questionable for Sunday morning's game against the Saints. He missed the 1st 2 days of practice this week before putting in a limited Friday workout. Smith probably isn't worth the risk for most IDP lineups, but we'll at least know his status early Sunday with the 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff in London.

Vikings LB Eric Kendricks (toe) is active for today's game against the Lions. Use him as planned in IDP lineups.

The Vikings have ruled S Harrison Smith (concussion) out for Sunday's game against the Lions. LB Eric Kendricks (toe) is questionable. Kendricks didn't appear on the injury report until Friday, when the issue limited his participation. That's worrisome timing for his Week 3 status. We'll keep an eye on him through Sunday morning.

Vikings S Harrison Smith is in the concussion protocol, HC Kevin O'Connell confirmed Wednesday. We'll see whether he can make it back in time. Josh Metellus and rookie Lewis Cine would be the candidates for the spot should Smith miss further time. Metellus stepped in when Smith left Monday night's loss to the Eagles.