Vikings running back Adrian Peterson felt like he got kicked in the stomach after the team traded wide receiver Percy Harvin to the Seahawks, but the team took a step Tuesday to try to keep Peterson from taking too many actual blows to the gut in 2013.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that the Vikings have agreed to a three-year deal with fullback Jerome Felton. Per Rapoport, the total compensation is $7.5 million but there’s no indication of guarantees or how the deal is structured.
Felton was a blocker on many of the runs that Peterson used to post the second-most rushing yards in a single season, earning him a trip to the Pro Bowl and a second-team All-Pro spot from the Associated Press. He didn’t have any carries all year and caught three passes for 35 yards which illustrates quite well that blocking was his first, second and third priority on the Vikings offense.
It’s been a busy day for the Vikings in terms of bringing back their own free agents. Right tackle Phil Loadholt and safety Jamarca Sanford have also reupped with the Vikings on Tuesday.