Every Wednesday this season, the research staff at “Playbook” will be taking your questions through email (playbook@nfl.com) and on Twitter (@NFLN_Playbook, with #askplaybook hashtag), and answering them in this blog. Here is the first batch of questions we’ve selected.

The Giants gave permission to Tony Agnone, Osi Umenyiora‘s agent, to seek a trade, and league sources said he was in contact with several teams Monday.

The Panthers are heavily committed to retaining their young core, as I’ve been reporting for months, with pass rusher Charles Johnson chief among them. And he opted to stay with the team Tuesday, agreeing to a six-year, $72 million contract, according to NFL.com’s Steve Wyche, with $32 million guaranteed after the NFC South rival Falcons hotly pursued him.

One could argue there’s a perception building that the role of free agency will be an afterthought in how teams build their defenses to get after the quarterback next season. But that perception might be wrong.

Vikings DE Ray Edwards told the Pioneer Press that he plans to pursue a career in boxing if there is a lockout. And the good news for Edwards is that he will only need to last about 40 seconds in the ring to be considered a bigger success than Johnnie Morton.

Three of the Vikings’ three best offensive players — RB Adrian Peterson, WR Percy Harvin and LG Steve Hutchinson — were listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Bills, but only Peterson will play.

A look at the notable injuries from Sunday’s games in Week 12.

Adrian Petersonis seeing a heavy workload in interim coach Leslie Frazier’s first game at the helm of the Vikings, but it has to be cause for concern that the running back limped off the field with an apparent right ankle injury at FedEx Field.

With Tuesday’s deadline looming for unsigned restricted free agents, the news of signings are rolling in.

Free agency is fast approaching, and teams are putting together tender offers before the March 5 start of the signing period. Here are some of the more noteworthy offers.

Vikings DE Ray Edwards will be a restricted free agent if the NFL and players union don’t have a new deal by March 5. Edwards isn’t too happy about that, not to mention the fact that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell makes $9 million per year — considerably more than most players.

Vikings vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman said Saturday the team will give Brett Favre time to make a decision on whether to return, and that the team intends to sign free agent RB Chester Taylor.

Vikings DE Ray Edwards, who had three of his team’s six sacks in Sunday’s 34-3 divisional-playoff blowout of the Cowboys, should be good to start in the NFC Championship Game against the Saints.

Vikings DE Ray Edwards had himself a career day in Sunday’s 34-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round of the playoffs, but it ended on a low note.

Costly week for Vikings defensive ends.