The Vikings’ vaunted pass rush has been a shell of itself in two games without Pro Bowl defensive end Everson Griffen, and with Griffen out indefinitely for personal reasons, the Vikings are looking to add some talent and depth to the position.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Vikings brought in free agent defensive ends for workouts on Monday, including Lamarr Houston and Robert Ayers.
Houston, 31, has experience playing defensive end and rush linebacker in his career with the Raiders, Bears and Texans. He had five sacks in 10 games in 2017, played just two games because of injuries in 2016 and racked up a career-high eight sacks with the Bears in 2015.
Ayers was cut by the Lions during the preseason after just one day, and prior to that he was cut by Tampa Bay after starting 20 games for the Buccaneers over the last two seasons.
Robert Ayers has had steady interest, while Lamarr Houston could also get interest from the #Bears given the injury to LB Sam Acho. https://t.co/cM6rY15DcY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 1, 2018
Pelissero notes that Minnesota will also likely sign Jonathan Wynn, who was with the team during training camp.
Minnesota is allowing a whopping 27.5 points per game through a quarter of the season.
