The Minnesota Vikings released quarterback Brad Johnson on Wednesday. Johnson played for the Vikings for nine seasons in two different stints.

Rumors persist that the Vikings could trade with the Houston Texans for quarterback David Carr, 27, who might cost just a fourth-round draft pick.

The Minnesota Vikings have named Leslie Frazier their defensive coordinator. Frazier was the Bengals' defensive coordinator in 2003 and 2004 and was the Clots' special assistant to the head coach in 2005 and 2006.

A federal judge ruled Thursday that Korey Stringer's widow can proceed with her negligence lawsuit against the NFL and equipment maker Riddell Inc. over his heatstroke death. Kelci Stringer sued the league and Riddell following her husband's death in 2001, claiming the NFL hadn't done enough to insure that equipment used by players protected them from injuries or deaths caused by heat-related illnesses. Korey Stringer, a 335-pound lineman for the Minnesota Vikings, died from heatstroke after he practiced in the sweltering heat and humidity that pushed his body temperature to 108.8 degrees. He was 27.