Four-time Pro Bowl DE Everson Griffen re-signs with Vikings again

Veteran pass-rusher Everson Griffen has proved that one can go home again...again. 

Griffen spent his first 10 NFL seasons playing for the Minnesota Vikings and then re-signed with the team on Aug. 23. The Vikings simply didn't have enough room to keep the 33-year-old on the roster between the conclusion of their final preseason game and Tuesday afternoon, however, so they released him while waiting for spots to free up on Wednesday. 

As Nick Shook noted for the league's website, spots became available after Minnesota placed tight end Irv Smith Jr., running back Kene Nwangwu and wide receiver Dan Chisena on the injured reserve list. As part of corresponding roster moves, the Vikings re-signed Griffen again. 

Smith, meanwhile, will likely miss the entire season after having surgery to repair a meniscus injury. 

Griffen earned four Pro Bowl selections during his first stint with the Vikings that lasted from 2010-19, and he tallied a total of six sacks playing for the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions last season. Last month, Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer explained he planned to utilize Griffen as a "situational player" during the upcoming campaign. 

Per the Vikings' website, Griffen will enter Week 1 later this month seventh all-time in franchise history with 74.5 career regular-season sacks.