MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Vikings were back at the TCO Performance Center on Monday after joint practices and a preseason win in Cleveland last week.

They welcomed a new face to practice with open arms when defensive back Stephon Gilmore signed a one-year deal. He visited the facility last week but left without a contract. That changed over the weekend.

“We’re really excited to add Stephon Gilmore to our team. We had a great visit with him a few days ago, we stayed in touch and he went through a process that led to him wanting to join our team,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “We wanted to make sure he knew the opportunity he had. I think he’s going to have a big impact on our team.”

What it means

Stephon Gilmore already has a starting position at defensive back. On Monday, he played alongside Byron Murphy Jr. as Shaq Griffin is nearing his return from an injury sustained early in training camp. The Vikings needed a starting player after the death of Khyree Jackson, Mekhi Blackmon’s season-ending knee injury and Griffin’s injury.

This means Minnesota’s defensive backs are Murphy, Gilmore, Griffin, Akayleb Evans, AJ Green III, Dwight McGlothern, Fabian Moreau, Duke Shelley, Nahshon Wright and Bobby McCain.

Gilmore: “Just prove it every year”

Gilmore has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times and is entering his 13th NFL season. The Vikings will be his sixth team. Last year, he started all 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys and had two interceptions and 13 passes defended, filling a void when Trevon Diggs suffered a season-ending injury.

Gilmore was a First-Team All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 after collecting six interceptions. In 165 games, Gilmore has recorded 31 interceptions.

“Every time I step between that line, I try to give it my all to show people I still have it. I just have to prove it every year, I have to put last year behind me and prove it every year, that’s my mindset,” Gilmore said Monday after practice. “A lot of guys have come to me already asking for tips and stuff like that. I’m here to help, try to get better and whatever I can do on the field or off the field, that’s what I’m here for.”

What happens next?

The Vikings are practicing in Eagan this week before playing their final preseason game in Philadelphia on Saturday, after which they must trim their roster to 53 players before their Week 1 matchup at the New York Giants.