In need of a third quarterback to help shoulder some of the practice workload, the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday signed free agent Drew Henson, who was released by the Dallas Cowboys last month, to their practice squad.

If the Vikings decide next spring that Tarvaris Jackson isn't ready to become the No. 1 quarterback, it wouldn't be surprising if they try again to trade for Falcons backup QB Matt Schaub, who can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Atlanta would have the right to match any offers for Schaub, 25, and the Falcons are expected to tender him a high enough offer that it would probably require first-round and third-round draft picks to trade for him.

Vikings defensive end Erasmus James will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. James got hurt on a running play late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over Carolina. He will likely rehabilitate the knee for a couple of weeks before having the operation, coach Brad Childress said Monday.

The Broncos are among several teams to have spoken to the agent for kick returner/wide receiver Quincy Morgan. Morgan's agent, Brian Overstreet, said he has spoken to Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist this past week. Overstreet has talked to the Dolphins and Vikings as well.

Former Minnesota Vikings receiver Anthony Carter has ended his probation two years early, three years after he pleaded guilty to charges related to domestic battery.

The Minnesota Vikings have a new coach, a new attitude, and an old quarterback who knows how to win. Brad Johnson led a 54-yard fourth-quarter drive, capped by Ryan Longwell's 31-yard field goal with one minute remaining, to give the Vikings a 19-16 victory over the Washington Redskins on Monday night.

Starting free safety Dwight Smith of the Vikings was made inactive for Monday night's opener against the Redskins due to an Aug. 26 citation for 'indecent conduct', ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported. Rookie Greg Blue, a fifth-round draft choice from Georgia, will start in Smith's place at free safety.Smith was cited by Minneapolis police early Saturday morning for alleged indecent conduct with a 24-year-old woman in a stairwell near a downtown night club.

WR Todd Pinkston was cut loose by the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday. This probably indicates Pinkston's Achilles' heel injury was still enough of a problem that the Vikings didn't want to be on the hook for his salary for the full season.

In a surprise announcement, coach Joe Gibbs said Saturday he thinks Clinton Portis will be a backup in the Redskins' Monday night opener against the Vikings. Gibbs was testy as he wrapped up a week of mystery over whether his star running back had recovered sufficiently from a partially left dislocated shoulder. Portis was upgraded from questionable to probable on the injury report, although Ladell Betts remains set to start.

The left side of the Vikings' offensive line looks like it will be around for years to come. The Vikings signed offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie to a seven-year contract extension Friday night, according to a report on the Pioneer Press website. The deal reportedly is worth $48.5 million, including a league-record $18.1 million in guaranteed money for an offensive lineman.