NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Vikings have agreed to a two-year deal with RB Alexander Mattison. The deal will pay him $7 million, with a max value of $8 million and $6.35 million guaranteed. Mattison's return will get more interesting if/when the Dalvin Cook trade rumors come true. Even in that case, Mattison's presence won't preclude Minnesota from adding someone else -- either via the NFL Draft or free agency. Don't go nuts over Mattison in best ball drafts. But he's OK to mix in as a RB4 or later RB3.

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.

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook underwent surgery today to address a broken shoulder that he suffered back in 2019, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Cook has dealt with a plethora of shoulder issues throughout his football career: a labrum tear in 2014 at Florida State, a re-injury in college in 2016, the aforementioned 2019 injury, a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum in 2021 and another injury this past September. Cook's agency suggested in a statement that he'll be ready for the start of the 2023 season, but we'll look for more details on the procedure and Cook's exact timeline for return. He turns 28 in August.

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 TE T.J. Hockenson led the team in receiving with 10 catches on 11 targets for 109 yards in Sunday's Wild Card loss vs. the Giants. This explosion comes only a few weeks after his 13-109, 2 TD performance against the Giants in Week 16. WR Justin Jefferson totaled 47 receiving yards, hauling in 7 of his 9 targets on the day. Both Hockenson and Jefferson figure to be big contributors to this Vikings' offense moving forward into 2023.

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook tallied 15 carries for 60 rushing yards and 6 receptions on 7 targets for 10 yards in Sunday's Wild Card loss vs. the Giants. This inefficient outing is undoubtedly disappointing for fantasy managers who enlisted the help of Cook for points. It's worth noting that the Vikings have an out in Cook's contract that could make him a free agent in 2023 should they choose to exercise it. Such a move would carry a dead cap hit just north of $6 million and is merely hypothetical at this point. He'll be a name to watch this offseason just in case.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins completed 31 of 39 attempts for 273 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's Wild Card loss vs. the Giants. He also punched in a 1-yard rushing TD in the contest. The veteran put forth about as valiant of an effort as one can ask for, but the Giants ultimately proved to be too big a challenge. It'll be interesting to see how HC Kevin O'Connell and company rebound from this upset loss in 2023. It's fair to say the effort should start with bolstering their defense that ranked 28th in Football Outsiders' DVOA this 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 HC Kevin O'Connell said Friday that his regulars will start this weekend's game vs. the Bears but that there's a plan to potentially pull them early to get backups some reps, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. The Vikings can't get the NFC's #1 seed and can only climb from #3 to #2 with a 49ers loss to the Cardinals. QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, WRs Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen and TE T.J. Hockenson are candidates to leave Sunday's game early.

Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said Monday that he won't sit his starters in Sunday's regular-season finale vs. the Bears -- although he added that he could make "more subtle" adjustments to playing time. The Vikings can't get the NFC's #1 seed but are still alive for the #2 seed with a win plus a loss by the 49ers. Minnesota kicks off at 1 pm ET, while 49ers-Cardinals doesn't start until 4:25 pm ET, so there won't be any scoreboard watching going on. It's possible that the Vikings pull guys like QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, WR Justin Jefferson and TE T.J. Hockenson if they build a big lead, but we're currently projecting full playing time for all of them.

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook managed just 27 yards on 9 carries in Sunday's lopsided loss to the Packers. He added just 2 catches for 17 more yards. It was Cook's fewest rushes and rushing yards since Week 2. The whole offense gets a better matchup at Chicago in Week 18.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins threw for just 205 yards in Sunday's loss to the Packers, with 1 TD and 3 INTs. The lone TD went to WR Jalen Nailor from 47 yards out, helping him lead the team with 89 yards on 3 catches. TE T.J. Hockenson led the team with 12 targets, catching 7 for 59 yards. WR K.J. Osborn added a TD catch, but it came from QB Nick Mullens in garbage time. WR Justin Jefferson managed just 1 reception for 15 yards among 5 looks. Minnesota closes out the regular season with an upside matchup at Chicago.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins threw for 299 yards and 3 TDs in Saturday's narrow victory over the Giants. He hit TE T.J. Hockenson for 2 scores and found WR Justin Jefferson for the other. Those 2 accounted for 66.7% of Cousins' total pass attempts, drawing 16 targets apiece. No other Viking saw more than 4. The Vikings head to Green Bay in Week 17 to face a Packers defense that ranks among the worst against the run, but negative as a scoring matchup for QBs.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson caught 12 balls for 133 yards and a TD in Saturday's win over the Giants. It was his 3rd straight game with more than 120 yards and his 10th game of 100+ this season. Jefferson also passed the franchise records for receptions and receiving yards in a season. He leads the league in receiving yards for the season by more than 200, with #2 Tyreek Hill yet to play. WR Adam Thielen caught just 1 of 5 targets for 6 yards against the Giants. WR K.J. Osborn followed his big Week 15 with 3 catches for 17 yards among 4 targets.

Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson tallied 13 catches for 109 yards and 2 TDs in Saturday's win over the Giants. He tied WR Justin Jefferson for the team lead with 16 targets, while no other Viking drew more than 5 looks or exceeded 3 receptions.

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook ran for 95 yards on 17 carries in Saturday's comeback win over the Colts. He added 4 catches for 95 yards and the final TD of regulation. Big plays were key, as Cook scored from 64 yards out late in the 4th quarter. He used a 40-yard run to pump up his rushing total as well. Cook gets strongly positive rushing matchups with the Giants and Packers the next 2 weeks.

Vikings WR K.J. Osborn tied WR Justin Jefferson for the team target lead (16) in Saturday's come-from-behind OT win over the Colts. Osborn caught 10 balls for a team-high 157 yards and scored. Jefferson returned from an injury check (chest) to catch 12 passes for 123 yards and a TD. WR Adam Thielen managed just 3 receptions on 4 targets for 41 yards and a TD. TE T.J. Hockenson added 3-33 receiving on 9 looks.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins threw for 460 yards and 4 TDs (with 2 INTs) in Saturday's comeback win over the Colts. He racked up a season-high 54 pass attempts in a game that found Minnesota fall behind 33-0 before roaring back and winning in OT. Cousins hit K.J. Osborn, Justin Jefferson, Dalvin cook and Adam Thielen for scores. It's his 2nd straight game with more than 400 yards passing. Minnesota gets the Giants and Packers in the final 2 weeks for most fantasy football leagues -- neither a scary matchup.

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.