The #Vikings are signing RB Xazavian Valladay, per his agent @thelawmvp. Former undrafted free agent of the #Texans was with the #Saints from last November to though this spring. Now headed to Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/o9LH3Kfj8L

While it’s been presumed that veteran Sam Howell, a 17-game starter in Washington two years ago, will be the primary backup, coach Kevin O’Connell on Monday said the competition remains unresolved.

Here are more takeaways from Day 16 of training camp: After his best performance of camp last week against the New England Patriots, McCarthy experienced some growing pains in his first time going back against his teammates in practice.

Another Saints free agent is off the market. The Minnesota Vikings are signing a former Saints running back just in time for their preseason finale:

The Vikings are signing running back Xazavian Valladay, Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports. Valladay became a free agent in June when the Saints cut him. He had stints on the practice squad of the Jets and Saints last season. Valladay was with the Steelers in 2023.

The Vikings defense under Brian Flores is the only one of its kind in the NFL, and shape-shifter Josh Metellus is its embodiment.

If the Bengals find an offer they like and send him away before Week 3, it would allow the Vikings to avoid playing him. The Bengals would still have their first-round pick edge rusher in Shemar Stewart to cause problems, but taking Hendrickson out of the equation would be massive for the team.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell gave an injury update on Josh Metellus as he suffered a shoulder injury last week in Vikings practice.