The Vikings worked out free agent running back Jonas Gray today, reports Ben Goessling of ESPN.com. Gray has been on the open market since being waived off injured reserve by the Jaguars in late August.
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Minnesota should seeing another running back return to the field on Sunday, as Jerick McKinnon participated in practice today and confirmed to reporters, including Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Twitter link), that he expects to play against the Lions this weekend. With McKinnon sidelined in Week 8, Matt Asiata managed 42 yards on 14 carries, while Ronnie Hillman — seeing significant snaps for the first time all year — posted four rushes for 15 yards.
Gray, 26, is most known for his brief tenure in New England, which featured a 201-yard, four-touchdown rushing performance against the Colts in November 2014. That showing represented a significant portion of Gray’s production as a rookie. All told, he amassed 89 carries (37 in the Indy game) for 412 yards and five scores in eight contests. Gray has also spent time with the Dolphins and, most recently, the Jaguars.
Gray’s audition with the Vikings was his third known workout this year, as he’s also met with the Lions and Dolphins.