The Minnesota Vikings have signed defensive lineman Tom Johnson to a one-year, $845,000 salary plus incentives.
The 6-foot-3, 290-pounder played as a reserve in 30 games for the New Orleans Saints over the past three seasons, registering 55 tackles and 5.0 sacks.
An end in the Saints’ 3-4 scheme, Johnson can provide versatility in the Vikings’ 4-3 base with the ability to back up three-technique Sharrif Floyd. Floyd, a first-round pick last year, is slated to take over the starting job on the Vikings’ revamped defensive line, which loses end Jared Allen and tackle Kevin Williams, while the team has added veteran nose tackle Linval Joseph while re-signing Everson Griffen and Fred Evans.
Johnson originally signed with the Indianapolis Colts after going undrafted in 2005, but was released in training camp and out of football before re-signing with the Colts the following offseason. He was assigned to NFL Europe, matriculated to the Arena League in 2008 and spent two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL before hooking on with th Saints in 2011.