Search is on for versatile backup linebacker

MANKATO - Dontarrious Thomas wasn't a starter for the Vikings but he was considered a key part of the defense, serving as the backup at all three linebacker positions.

With Thomas having signed as a free agent with San Francisco during the offseason, the Vikings are looking to replace him. Starting strong-side linebacker Ben Leber has worked in the middle with the second unit, meaning if middle linebacker E.J. Henderson was injured, Leber could slide into that spot.

"We're looking at guys, Derrick Pope, Vinny Ciurciu, but we've got to find out who is going to be that guy now that Dontarrious is gone," defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. "Ben is an experienced guy who pretty much knows all three positions so we just want to make sure we've got our bases covered if something were to happen to E.J."

Leber never has played middle linebacker during his six NFL seasons.

"I'm comfortable there," he said. "I feel like I know the defense pretty well. I know what guys are doing around me and I have no problem making the calls. But hopefully we're not ever in that situation where I have to be used because that means that E.J. is down."

Asked if there was any candidate to replace Thomas as the main backup at all three spots, Frazier said, "I don't know if we quite have that backup guy quite like that yet."

Coach Brad Childress said the staff wants to get a long look at several backup linebackers, including Heath Farwell, Ciurciu and Pope, during Thursday's joint practice with Kansas City in River Falls, Wis.

With quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers wearing a neck brace after undergoing a spinal fusion in June, it's expected he will switch game spots with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

That means Rogers will move from the sideline to the press box and Bevell will handle his play-calling responsibilities from field level. Last season, Bevell relayed plays from upstairs to Rogers on the sideline and then Rogers communicated them to quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

The switch would be made in part to make sure Rogers doesn't accidentally take any hits on the sideline.

Wide receiver Bobby Wade did not practice Tuesday morning, while nose tackle Pat Williams took part in 11-on-11 drills for the first time in eight practices.

Williams had been eased back while building up strength in his surgically repaired left elbow. Wade was rested because of a sore left knee. The veteran had arthroscopic surgery on his knee during the offseason but said he's fine. With a special-teams practice in the afternoon, Wade was able to get an entire day to rest.

Meanwhile, fullback Thomas Tapeh (head) returned after missing the second practice Monday.

• Ryan Cook started all 16 games at right tackle for the Vikings last season. Nonetheless, Marcus Johnson has been getting work with the first team at that spot and appears to be getting at least an opportunity to challenge for the job.

• Vikings President Mark Wilf was at practice Tuesday. The Vikings' full ownership contingent was expected to be in Mankato on Monday and Tuesday for an ownership retreat that will cover topics ranging from the stadium issue to football-related matters. The Vikings owners gather two or three times a year for these retreats.

• Childress and Chiefs coach Herm Edwards have exchanged faxes on ideas about the format for Thursday's practice and what each team wants to get out of it.

• NFL official Roy Ellison and three of his colleagues were in Mankato on Tuesday to observe the Vikings' practices and discuss rule changes and areas of enforcement. The group will remain in town today and then join the rest of their officiating crew in River Falls to work the Vikings-Chiefs practice.