Vikings bring in linebacker Adibi

Article by: MARK CRAIG , Star Tribune
Updated: September 4, 2011 - 11:32 PM

A day after releasing three of the linebackers who played for them in Thursday's preseason finale against Houston, the Vikings claimed Xavier Adibi, one of the players who started at inside linebacker for Houston in that game.

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New Vikings linebacker Xavier Adibi

Photo: Anonymous, Associated Press

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Turns out the fourth preseason game wasn't so meaningless, after all.

At least not when it came to finding some depth behind middle linebacker E.J. Henderson.

A day after releasing three of the linebackers who played for them in Thursday's preseason finale against Houston, the Vikings claimed one of the players who started at inside linebacker for Houston in that game.

Xavier Adibi, a fourth-round draft pick of the Texans in 2008, is a 6-2, 242-pounder who plays inside. He comes from the Texans' 3-4 system but has the athleticism that might translate well into a backup middle linebacker in the Vikings' 4-3 scheme. Obviously, the Vikings think more of Adibi than they did of David Herron, who started at middle linebacker Thursday and was released a day later.

To make room for Adibi on the 53-man roster, the Vikings released tight end Allen Reisner, an undrafted rookie who made the team Saturday. Reisner remained a candidate for the eight-man practice squad, which the team hadn't announced as of Sunday night.

Adibi has played 34 NFL games with eight starts over the past three seasons. He started three of the 11 games he played in last season. Three of the Vikings' other linebackers -- starter Erin Henderson and backups Kenny Onatolu and Larry Dean -- have never started an NFL game. Dean is an undersized, undrafted rookie from Division II Valdosta State.

Adibi, 26, had an active preseason despite being released. He had 14 tackles, two sacks and three quarterback hits in the preseason.

Adibi's agent, Andy Ross, said Adibi was scheduled to arrive in Minnesota on Sunday night and presumably begin practicing with the team Monday morning.

The Raiders also put in a claim for Adibi, but the Vikings had priority based on last year's records.

Practice squad coming

The Vikings are expected to announce the members of their practice squad Monday morning. Three of them are believed to be receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux and fullbacks Ryan D'Imperio and Matt Asiata.

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