| Vikings Proceeding With Jasper Brinkley As Their Starting Middle Linebacker | | | The Minnesota Vikings are cautiously optimistic about E.J. Henderson's recovery from a fractured femur, and Henderson said on Friday he'll be "ready to rock" when training camp opens in late July. That doesn't mean the Vikings are counting on Henderson being ready for the season opener Sept. 9 at New Orleans. Second-year pro Jasper Brinkley has worked with the No. 1 defense throughout organized team activity practices, and according to defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, the Vikings consider that arrangment open-ended. "We're proceeding right now as if 'Jasp' is going to be the middle linebacker," Frazier said. "E.J. hasn't really gone out and done any drills with us. So, you can't say that he's going to be ready when we get ready to play the Saints. If it happens, we all would be extremely happy. But right now, we're looking at Jasper being that guy." Source: ESPN 1500 | | |