Vikings re-sign linebacker, special teams guru Audie Cole
With free agency set to begin Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings have retained one of their core special teams players, re-signing linebacker Audie Cole.
Cole, a seventh-round draft pick in the 2012 draft by Minnesota out of North Carolina State, has appeared in 41 games for the Vikings in four seasons, recording 74 tackles, 20 of those coming on special teams (and of those, 14 solo).
Cole played in only three games in 2015 as he was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 10 due to a lower leg injury.
The linebacker reportedly signed a one-year contract with Minnesota. He made $660,000 last season, according to the website spotrac.com, and was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent.
In addition to Cole, the Vikings re-signed potential unrestricted free-agent safety Andrew Sendejo and exclusive rights free agents wide receiver Adam Thielen and tackle Carter Bykowski. The team also placed a tender on restricted free-agent fullback Zach Line.
