Vikings sign TE John Carlson to 5-year deal

The Minnesota Vikings have signed John Carlson to a five-year deal, bringing the tight end back to his home state. The 27-year-old Carlson spent his first four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. But he missed all of last season after needing shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum that occurred in training camp. ESPN first reported the agreement, which includes $11 million in guaranteed money. With Jim Kleinsasser retiring and Visanthe Shiancoe (vis-AUNT'-ay SHANK'-oh) likely moving on in free agency, the Vikings needed to add depth at tight end. Carlson will join fellow Notre Dame alum Kyle Rudolph in the Vikings tight end corps. Rudolph was a second-round pick last season. Carlson grew up in Litchfield, about a 90-minute drive west of Minneapolis.