CB Sheppard had deal done with Vikings to backup Griffin

A deal was done between former New York Jets cornerback Lito Sheppard and the Minnesota Vikings and brought the nine-year veteran who was selected to Pro Bowl twice into the No. 26 Vikings jersey. Therefore, the Vikings have less concern about the cornerback while starter Cedric Griffin is still recovering from a knee injury.

With the addition of Sheppard, the Vikings now have as many as three secondary cornerbacks and one starter while waiting for Griffin’s return. Antoine Winfield and backups Benny Sapp and Asher Allen is now facing a more furious competition for possible starting job at cornerback in case Griffin is unable to return in time for the regular season. According to reports, the injury suffered during the NFC championship game might cause Griffin not to be ready for the start of the season. And as a former first-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002, Sheppard has gone to the playoffs in six of his eight seasons and does have great chance to be named the interim starter.

The Jets did not show any intention to retain Sheppard when this offseason started and the major reason is that he did not give a satisfying season for being impacted by injuries. That’s definitely not what the Jets expected when they acquired him in a trade with the Eagles. Spending seven seasons with the Eagles, Sheppard worked with current Vikings head coach Brad Childress who then was the Eagle’s offensive coordinator for four years. Having a great impression with Sheppard, Childress is believed to make the main efforts in prompting the Vikings to sign Sheppard.

Vikings QB Jackson continues rehab work

After skipping Sunday practice, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson missed both practices again on Monday while doing rehab work on his left knee injury caused by an accident on Saturday practice.

Jackson has spent time with his teammates outside the training camp since spraining his MCL on Saturday, but at the moment he was only able to ride a bicycle and do some light jogging. Because he still walked with a slight limp, he has to watch practice while wearing a sleeve on his knee.

Coach Brad Childress said taht he is not sure about when Jackson will return to the team but is confident he will be just fine. Childress said Jackson will return whe has the ability to protect himself while playing. So we will not wait long before seeing Jackson wearing his vikings jersey again.