EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings hope playing linebacker in the NFL is like riding a bike.
The Vikings signed linebacker Dontarrious Thomas on Monday to bolster an injury-plagued unit. Thomas spent the first four seasons of his career in Minnesota and the team hopes he can pick things up right where he left off before he signed with San Francisco in the offseason.
Now with injuries to middle linebackers E.J. Henderson and David Herron, Thomas could conceivably be the starter there on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
"Me and the coaches, we sat down and we started going over it, and I was surprised at how much I do remember," Thomas said. "Fortunately, while I was here I was able to play all those positions and learn the defense in depth and I think that helped me to carry over. That's one of the things they looked at when they brought me back. That learning curve won't be so big."
Thomas was the primary backup at all three positions for the Vikings last year before leaving for San Francisco. He was waived before the season started and has spent the past six weeks trying to stay in shape and rehab a shoulder injury.
Thomas said he feels great physically and both he and the coaches expect him to be ready to play on Sunday at Soldier Field.
"It didn't work out there in San Francisco for whatever reason, but he still looks like he possesses some tools and he knows our drill," coach Brad Childress said. "He knows the linebackers coach. He knows the system. He knows the special teams. He knows our values. So he is extremely excited to be back here with us."
To make room on the active roster, the Vikings placed offensive lineman Drew Radovich on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
Henderson was lost for the season three weeks ago in Tennessee with a foot injury, a huge blow to one of the NFL's best run defenses. Herron filled in for the past two weeks, but Childress said he was "pretty beat up" in a 12-10 win over the Lions on Sunday, which leaves his availability in question.
"This is like home to me," Thomas said. "It was one of those things that you wait for the call and hope for the best. I'm just glad everything worked out."
The Vikings could also use him on special teams. The unit lost its best player, linebacker Heath Farwell, for the season with a knee injury in the preseason and has struggled at times to cover punts and kicks this season.
"I'm coming up here to sit with the coaches and just drill and drill and try to learn as much as possible," Thomas said. "The main thing is to help out on special teams and get that back rolling, and we'll see how everything else goes."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press