DAVIE, Fla. -- Safety Tyrell Johnson has signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins as a potential replacement for departed starter Yeremiah Bell.
Johnson, a second-round draft pick by Minnesota in 2008, started 15 games for the Vikings in 2009, but has only started in five games over the past two years. He had surgery in November to repair a torn right hamstring tendon and says he's 85-percent recovered.
Last month, the Dolphins released Yeremiah Bell, a starter at safety since 2006. They haven't ruled out re-signing him.
The Dolphins also announced Thursday that they have re-signed reserve linebacker Austin Spitler.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press