News: The Cardinals announced that the team has agreed to terms with free agent linebacker Jasper Brinkley on a two-year contract.
Analysis: In his first year as a starter in Minnesota Brinkley had 99 total tackles and three passes defensed. The guy is a professional tackler who will move to the Cards' 3-4 front and might be in line for 80-plus tackles alongside Daryl Washington. At best Brinkley's a guy to check out off waivers during the season.
News: Vikings linebacker Jasper Brinkley finished with a career-high 13 tackles -- tied for the team lead -- during Minnesota's 30-20 loss at Seattle in Week 9. Brinkley, who had six solo stops, matched teammate Chad Greenway with his second game with double digits in tackles.
Analysis: After amassing just 48 tackles in his first two seasons combined, Brinkley is starting to make a name for himself in the middle of the Vikings' solid linebacker corps. He has posted at least six tackles in each of his past four games and his 58 tackles alone this season has easily surpassed his previous career total. Fantasy owners should look to scoop him up in deeper IDP formats as he appears to be hitting his stride.
News: Vikings linebacker Jasper Brinkley totaled six tackles (four solo) Week 1 against the Jaguars.
Analysis: Brinkley missed the 2011 season due to a hip injury, but he is back healthy in 2012 and has taken over as the team's starting middle linebacker. It should be a career year for Brinkley as long as he can stay healthy, so he might be worth a flier on your IDP bench in case he hits his breakout run in 2012.
News: Vikings LB Jasper Brinkley will miss the 2011 season after the team put him on injured reserve with a hip injury.
Analysis: Brinkley would have provided good depth for the Vikings this year, so Fantasy owners aren't affected much.
News: The Vikings official team website reports Wednesday that coach Leslie Frazier confirmed that LB Jasper Brinkley had surgery on his hip on Tuesday. The ailment has limited him throughout the preseason, but the defender declined to comment on the matter.
Analysis: Brinkley is the team's top reserve LB and they trust him to occupy a starting spot if anything were to happen to Chad Greenway, E.J. Henderson or Erin Henderson. There is not timetable for his official return, but Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his progress anyway. Brinkley is not worth an IDP Fantasy play for now.
News: The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the Vikings are deciding on whether or not to place LB Jasper Brinkley on the injured reserve list. Brinkley is believed to have had hip surgery and could be sidelined until late in the season.
Analysis: A year ago, Sidney Rice had similar hip surgery and stayed on the active roster so he could return later in the season. But considering Brinkley's backup status and the fact he was a valuable special teams player, he's likely to end up on injured reserve instead. He is not worth owning in Fantasy leagues.
News: Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said he has to get Jasper Brinkley on the field more: "He's ready to go. He called me when I was at the Senior Bowl saying, 'Coach what do you think? Is this my year?' I said, 'Jasper your turn is coming, just be patient.' Hopefully, (in) 2011, we'll find a way."
Analysis: Brinkley is a legit prospect to start along the weakside for the Vikings in 2011, not in the middle. He's got some real nice skills and could end up serving as a one-week replacement LB off waivers in 2011.
News: The Vikings not only lost at Arizona in Week 13, but they lost the man in the middle of their defense. LB E.J. Henderson broke his leg, according to head coach Brad Childress, likely forcing him to season-ending injured reserve. Henderson had 10 total tackles before the injury in the fourth quarter.
Analysis: Henderson was a startable Fantasy linebacker, but those who were using him might have to go elsewhere for help. Jasper Brinkley might take his spot, and he'd be worth a look off waivers as a low-end reserve with some upside. The Vikings play the Bengals at home in Week 14.
News: The Minnesota Vikings have signed 2009 fifth-round draft pick LB Jasper Brinkley, it was announced Tuesday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Brinkley, the 150th overall pick in this year's draft, started 29 of 30 games at South Carolina. He finished his career with 193 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for a loss and three interceptions. As a senior, Brinkley captured All-Southeastern Conference 2nd-team honors as he started all but one game for the Gamecocks and ranked third on the squad with 65 tackles.
Analysis: Keep an eye on how Brinkley does with the Vikings, but he has minimal Fantasy value. The safe option is to ignore him on Draft Day in IDP leagues.
News: The Vikings took South Carolina LB Jasper Brinkley in the 2009 draft. Brinkley posted a 100-total-tackle season as a sophomore but tore his right ACL the following year before finishing fairly strong as a senior.
Analysis: He'll provide LB depth for the Vikings and might eventually be the team's inside backer down the road. He'll also see time on special teams. Brinkley is only worth a late-round pick in the deepest of dynasty/keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts.
