Evans returns to Vikings after resolving legal matters

As they got one defensive lineman back Thursday, the Vikings appeared to rule out the possibility of adding another.

Newcomer Fred Evans rejoined the team after taking a week to resolve legal issues in Florida and Texas. Barring injury, he will get playing time in Saturday night's preseason game at Seattle.

Evans' return apparently eased concerns about depth at the position, and coach Brad Childress said the Vikings have no plans to host free-agent defensive tackle Corey Simon on a visit. Childress acknowledged he had "pretty good dialogue" about Simon with defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, who coached Simon in Philadelphia and Indianapolis, but said he wants to evaluate Evans first.

"We're coming down to the wire here," Childress said. "Fred's back, and we'll see what he can do this week and next week."

Evans appeared Wednesday in Colorado County (Texas) Court to resolve a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge, for which he was originally put on probation. According to county attorney Ken Sparks, Evans was sentenced to three days in jail and fined $2,000 for violating the terms of his probation.

Evans was credited with time served. His final hurdle from a two-incident offseason is a likely NFL penalty, at least a fine and possibly a suspension as well.

For his part, Evans said he worked out twice a day during his absence, "just staying in shape and eating the right things so that when this opportunity did come, I could make the best of it."Everything is pretty much cleared up," he added. "So I got the monkey off my back, and now I can just focus on football and trying to make the team. Everything is good."

Frazier runs practice

Childress missed Thursday's practice to attend to a family matter. He did not elaborate but had returned to Winter Park by midafternoon.

Asked if everything is OK, Childress said: "Yeah."

Frazier handled logistics of running the Vikings' hourlong practice.

"The players responded well," Frazier said. "They were enthusiastic in practice and really focused and concentrated. We reminded them of what [Childress'] expectations are. We have enough leadership on this football team, where guys stood up and just made sure that there was no dropoff."

Etc.

• Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, who will play into the third quarter on Saturday, was asked how many passes he feels he needs to attempt against Seattle to make it a useful experience. "I wouldn't say there's a certain amount," Jackson said. "But more than four would be good." Jackson threw only four passes in last week's victory over the Jets.

• Cornerback Mike Hawkins' rib injury will prevent him from traveling to Seattle. Childress said safety Mike Doss (calf) and linebacker Vinny Ciurciu (finger) also will not play.

• Tight end Richard Owens (knee/ankle) could also miss the game. Fellow tight end Braden Jones returned to practice Thursday.

• Defensive end Erasmus James will get 10 to 15 snaps in the first half, Frazier said.

• Newly added receiver Robert Ferguson will play up to a half Saturday, Childress said.