The Vikings have a genuine interest in former Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson according to a report in the Star Tribune. The Vikings are looking for a reliable backup to RB Adrian Peterson after losing former understudy Chester Taylor to Chicago at the beginning of free agency.

The Raiders have released veterans Javon Walker and Greg Ellis, NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi reports.

Raiders starting WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, who recently was downgraded to questionable, will not play against the Steelers because of a foot injury.

While Cowboys TE David Witten will play in Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day game against the Raiders, two other starters — OT Marc Colombo and S Ken Hamlin — will not. Both players were ruled out by the Cowboys on Wednesday.

Chiefs QB Matt Cassel will be a game-time decision for the second consecutive week. Cassel, who’s nursing a sprained left knee, is officially listed as questionable for the Chiefs’ matchup with the AFC West rival Raiders.

The bar has been set with the recent success of the Cowboys, Patriots, Ravens, Chargers and Steelers’ 3-4 defenses, and now it has become vogue to run the scheme. As many as 15 teams are either making the switch or infusing elements of the 3-4 defense, but can they be successful? Here are five key ingredients that will make or break the transition.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones once again has tried to make an addition-by-subtraction move with a veteran, this time with the release of LB Greg Ellis.

The Dallas Morning News is reporting that the Cowboys are considering trading or releasing veteran LB Greg Ellis, a move that could free up between $4.15 to $5 million on the team’s salary cap.