The Vikings might have found their replacement for Anthony Barr. He's even a member of the same 2014 draft class. Sort of.
Former Broncos linebacker Todd Davis is signing a one-year deal with Minnesota, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. The Vikes later confirmed the acquisition. Davis was surprisingly given his walking papers in Denver a few weeks ago despite the fact he's coming off one of his most productive seasons.
The seventh-year veteran collected 136 tackles (in 14 games) in 2019, tied for ninth in the NFL. Now he'll be asked to quickly contribute in Minnesota, which lost its four-time Pro Bowler for the season to a pectoral injury last week and now will be without his backup.
Rookie linebacker Troy Dye has a mid-foot sprain and is headed to injured reserve, Pelissero added. He's expected to be ready when he's eligible to activated in three weeks. The team also upgraded running back Mike Boone (concussion) to limited after he missed Wednesday's practice.
Losing Barr, of course, was the major blow for a Vikings defense that has struggled early on. But Davis is much more than a former undrafted free agent, having led the Broncos in tackles in three of the past four seasons.
Here's other news, injuries and transactions we're tracking on Thursday:
- The Jacksonville Jaguars announced leading receiver D.J. Chark (chest/back) was downgraded to out ahead of Thursday night's game against the Dolphins. Linebacker Leon Jacobs was carted off the field with a knee injury early in the first quarter and was later ruled out. Safety Andrew Wingard suffered a core muscle injury in the first half and did not return. Left tackle Cam Robinson was ejected in the third quarter for making contact with an official. Replays showed Robinson, who was on the ground following a fumble scrum, pushing away the arm of two officials as they attempted to see who came away with the ball.
- The Miami Dolphins announced they have elevated cornerback Tae Hayes to the active roster ahead of Thursday's game.
- Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said wideout Sammy Watkins is in the concussion protocol and will not practice. Alex Okafor (hamstring) also did not practice. Cornerback Charvarius Ward(hand) practiced in a limited capacity.
- Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (foot) practiced for the first time this season in a limited capacity. The Eagles promoted cornerback Trevor Williams to their active roster. Offensive tackle Lane Johnson (ankle) was a full participant in practice after being limited Wednesday. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (abdomen) and rookie WR Jalen Reagor (thumb) did not practice for a second straight day.
- Chicago Bears defensive tackle John Jenkins played through a ligament tear in his thumb this past Sunday and will be out several games, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. With Jenkins possibly going on injured reserve, Chicago signed defensive tackle Dan McCullers off the Steelers practice squad.
- The following Atlanta Falcons players were listed as DNP for a second straight day: cornerback Kendall Sheffield (foot), receiver Julio Jones (hamstring), safety Ricardo Allen (elbow), defensive end Dante Fowler (ankle), tackle Kaleb McGary (knee), defensive end Takkarist McKinley (groin). Safety Damontae Kazee (hip), linebacker Foye Oluokun (hamstring) and tackle Jake Matthews (knee) were upgraded to limited after missing Wednesday.
- New York Jets coach Adam Gase called wide receiver Jamison Crowder (hamstring) "doubtful" for Sunday's game against the Colts. Gase said offensive tackle George Fant (head) is in concussion protocol and center Connor McGovern (hamstring) won't practice Thursday.
- Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams missed a second consecutive practice with a hamstring injury. Defensive lineman Kenny Clark (groin) was upgraded to limited after missing Wednesday.
- New Orleans Saints receiver internal-link-placeholder-4 remained out while defensive end Marcus Davenport (elbow) was upgraded tp limited after missing Wednesday.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul missed practice with a knee injury. JPP was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday.
- Dallas Cowboys rookie cornerback Trevon Diggs (shoulder) was a full participant Thursday. Rapoport reported tests showed Diggs' shoulder to be structurally sound and the hope is, if he keeps trending in this direction, he can play Sunday versus the Seahawks. Offensive tackle Tyron Smith (neck) and Demarcus Lawrence (knee) remained out.
- Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay(toe) will not practice Thursday, per head coach Vic Fangio. Rookie wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (ribs) will be limited. Defensive end Jurrell Casey (elbow) was upgraded from limited to full. Quarterback Drew Lock (right shoudler) remained out. The team also signed defensive back P.J. Locke from the practice squad and free-agent QB Blake Bortles.
- Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (hip/thumb) was full-go in practice after sitting out Wednesday. Cornerback Tre'Davious White (shoulder) was also a full participant. Defensive end Ed Oliver (knee), linebackers Tremaine Edmunds (shoulder) and Matt Milano (hamstring) and wide receiver John Brown (foot) were limited. Running back Zack Moss (toe) remained out.
- Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (ankle) and defensive back Desmond King (back) were listed as full participants in practice after being limited Wednesday. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor (ribs/chest) and linebacker Nick Vigil (groin) remained out.
- Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward was added to the injury report Thursday with a groin injury. He was limited in practice. Cornerback Greedy Williams (shoulder), linebacker Mack Wilson (knee), center JC Tretter (knee) were also limited. Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (ankle) returned to full-go. Defensive end Olivier Vernon (ab), linebacker Jacob Phillips (knee) and defensive end Adrian Clayborn (hip) remained out.
- Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (quad), running back Duke Johnson (ankle) and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (elbow) were limited in practice. Fullback Cullen Gillaspia (concussion) and defensive end J.J. Watt (groin) returned to full-go.
- Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle (knee) and safety Julian Blackmon (knee) were limited.
- Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (ankle) returned to practice Thursday. Cornerback Malcolm Butler (quadricep) was limited and wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee) remained out. Veteran CB Johnathan Joseph (calf) did not practice after being a full participant on Wednesday.
- Washington Football Team wide receiver Steven Sims (toe) was limited.
- San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (knee) continued to be limited. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle), defensive end Dee Ford (back), running backs Raheem Mostert (knee) and Tevin Coleman (knee) remained out. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad) did not practice after being limited Wednesday.
- Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (hamstring) was limited again, and cornerback Desmond Trufant (hamstring) was upgraded to limited after missing Wednesday.
- New York Giants defensive back Adrian Colbert (quad) was limited again.
- The New England Patriots listed defensive back Kyle Dugger (ankle) and linebacker Josh Uche (foot) as limited practice participants after both missed Wednesday.
- Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Trent Brown (calf), guard Denzelle Good(thumb/illness), running back Josh Jacobs (hip), linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (pectoral) and tight end internal-link-placeholder-24 did not practice for a second straight day. Receiver Henry Ruggs III (knee/hamstring) was downgraded to a limited participant after fully practicing Wednesday, and defensive end Carl Nassib (illness) returned to practice after missing Wednesday.
- The Los Angeles Rams signed linebacker Natrez Patrick from the practice squad, and placed guard Joe Noteboom on IR.
- Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (foot), guard Dennis Daley (ankle), and offensive tackle Russell Okung (groin) all missed practice. Defensive end Brian Burns (thigh), guard John Miller (ankle/groin), and defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (concussion) were upgraded from limited to full.
