Larry Dean Re-Signs With Minnesota Vikings

Well, this one isn't terribly earth-shattering news, but it's a signing none the less.

The Minnesota Vikings have brought linebacker Larry Dean back into the fold. Dean has been almost exclusively a special teamer for the Vikings for the past three years, but has performed very well in that capacity. He made the Vikings in 2011 as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State, and has appeared in all 16 games for the Vikings over the last three years.

Dean was a restricted free agent, but the Vikings took care of him before the open signing period starts on Tuesday. The Vikings' only other restricted free agent was cornerback/punt returner Marcus Sherels, who the Vikings brought back a couple of days ago.

Of their in-house free agents, the Vikings have chosen to retain Dean, Sherels, running back Matt Asiata (an exclusive-rights free agent), quarterback Matt Cassel, and defensive end Everson Griffen. The rest of their free agent will be hitting the open market at 3 PM Central time on Tuesday.