Vikings released DE Lawrence Jackson. Jackson, 28 later this week, was signed on draft weekend. The former first-round pick was trying to make it as the fourth or fifth end. The Vikings also waived WRs LaMark Brown, Chris Summers, and Erik Highsmith, OG Tyler Holmes, DE Marquis Jackson, LB Stanford Keglar, DB Greg McCoy, RB Bradley Randle, QB James Vandenberg, C Camden Wentz, RB Jerodis Williams, and DB Roderick Williams.

Vikings agreed to terms with DE Lawrence Jackson, formerly of the Lions. Jackson, 27, visited the Vikings last week, and Minnesota likely wanted to see what it was going to do in the opening round of the draft before deciding on whether to sign him. The former first-round pick has 19.5 career sacks, and he'll slot in as a rotational end behind Jared Allen, Brian Robison, and Everson Griffen.

The Vikings are keeping in touch with free agent DE Lawrence Jackson after his Thursday workout. It's believed Minnesota hasn't extended a formal offer, but one could be coming soon. While the Vikings have an excellent starting front four, their best four to five defensive linemen are entering the final year of their contracts.

The Vikings worked out free agent DE Lawrence Jackson on Thursday. Jackson, 27, was a first-round pick by the Seahawks in 2008. While he's failed to live up to his draft position, he has been serviceable as a rotational player with 19.5 sacks and four forced fumbles over his five-year career.

DetroitLions.com thinks there's still a possibility free agents DE Lawrence Jackson and/or DT Corey Williams could be re-signed. Jackson would be the more obvious choice, but he likely won't be brought back until the team sees what they net in the upcoming draft. The Lions have just three defensive ends under contract, and coach Jim Schwartz admits that "eventually we're going to need another defensive end." Jackson, 27, has 19.5 career sacks in spot duty through his five seasons.

Free agent DE Lawrence Jackson hasn't "had a whole lot of dialogue" with the Lions as the signing period approaches. Jackson wants to return as Kyle Vanden Bosch's replacement, but it's unclear whether the feeling is mutual. Jackson, who turns 28 before the season, had 2.5 sacks in 2012. He's at least reasonable about his market value: "I know I won't command some of the big contracts that some of the defensive ends are getting."

DetroitLions.com expects the team to "focus" on re-signing free agent DE Lawrence Jackson. With Kyle Vanden Bosch released and free agent Cliff Avril soon to leave town, the Lions don't want to lose any more in-house depth. Writer Tim Twentyman expects restricted free agent Willie Young to be tendered a contract even though he had a disappointing year in what some thought would be a breakout campaign.

Lions DE Lawrence Jackson (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. Jackson sustained the concussion in last week's loss to the Colts. The Lions have not specified a timetable for his return. Jackson has been primarily used as a situational pass rusher this season, recording 11 total tackles and a sack. He's well off the IDP radar.

The NFL has fined Lawrence Jackson $15,750 for a hit on Michael Vick in the Lions' Week 6 win over the Eagles. Jackson picked up a 15-yard penalty on the play, which was one of the 16 penalties the Lions had on Sunday. That's the most any team has had in the league all season. "That's why we can appeal," Jackson said on his Twitter account regarding the fine

Lions DE Lawrence Jackson still has "a little bit of a ways to go" in rehabbing his surgically repaired ankle. "I feel pretty good," said Jackson. "I'm still working on the ankle, and I am still making progress." If labor talks go as hoped, Jackson may have just over a month to get ready for training camp. The rotational end will likely be eased in.