EAGAN, Minn. Anthony Barr has signed to Minnesota’s active roster ahead of the Vikings Week 17 game against the Packers, the team announced Friday.
The veteran linebacker, who was drafted by the Vikings in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft and played the first eight seasons of his career for Minnesota, joined the team’s practice squad in November.
The Vikings elevated Barr from the practice squad to the active roster for Week 11 at Denver and Week 12 versus the Bears.
Barr has enjoyed reconnecting with longtime teammates like Harrison Smith and Danielle Hunter, as well as other familiar faces throughout the organization.
One of the biggest changes is the four-time Pro Bowler who wore No. 55 for his entire time with the Vikings is now in No. 54, which was worn by his close friend Eric Kendricks from 2015-22. Barr made the change because rookie Andre Carter II is wearing 55.
Over the past five-plus weeks, Barr has learned the new Vikings system implemented this season by Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores, who “knew the player well” from previous film study he had conducted with the linebacker in Mike Zimmer’s defensive scheme (2014-21). The current Vikings have implemented a double-A gap look that Zimmer mastered among their multiple approaches this season.
Signing Barr to the active roster comes two days after Minnesota added D.J. Wonnum to Injured Reserve with a quadriceps injury. The outside linebacker posted a photo Thursday after undergoing surgery to repair the muscle.
Vigil has appeared in six games, exclusively on special teams, for Minnesota this season.
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