Former Minnesota Viking defensive end Ray Edwards, in no immediate need for a big payday, dons the gloves Friday night for a second bout in his fledgling heavyweight professional boxing career.

Edwards faces Cory Briggs at Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minn., as part of the undercard for the featured junior middleweight bout between Andy Kolle, of Fargo, and St. Paul's Cerresso Fort.

Edwards won his only other fight, scoring two knockdowns in a unanimous decision over T.J. Gibson on May 20, 2011, also at the Hinckley casino. Briggs, of Duluth, has lost all three of his bouts.

In November 2012, the Atlanta Falcons released Edwards after signing him as a free agent in 2011. Edwards, who had nine tackles and no sacks in 2012, had a five-year, $30 million deal that included $11 million guaranteed.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482