nine, everyones swinging it really, really well right now. Were playing well. I

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have signed defensive tackle Tom Johnson. The deal was done Thursday. The 29-year-old Johnson spent the last three seasons as a backup with the New Orleans Saints, playing in 40 games plus four more contests in the playoffs while totalling five sacks. Johnson started his pro career in 2006 as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi, but he was cut by the Indianapolis Colts. Then he spent time in NFL Europe, the Arena Football League and the Canadian Football League before finally appearing in an NFL game in 2011. The addition of Johnson, likely to backup last years top draft pick Sharrif Floyd, will probably mean the end of an 11-season run in Minnesota by Kevin Williams, who became a free agent. Meanwhile, free agent defensive end Corey Wootton has also agreed to terms with the Vikings. Wootton and his agent, Mike McCartney, tweeted the agreement on Thursday night. Wootton spent the first four seasons of his career with the division rival Chicago Bears. Wootton has played all 16 games each of the last two seasons when he combined for 10 sacks. He had three sacks last season. Wootton has a place in Vikings lore. He was the defender who drove Brett Favre into the frozen turf at TCF Bank Stadium in 2010. The hit gave Favre a concussion that prevented the quarterback from playing in the final two games of his career. Wootton says in his tweet that he is "excited to start a new chapter" in Minnesota. WASHINGTON -- Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper showed plenty of pop Thursday in his first on-field batting practice since undergoing ligament surgery on his left thumb last month. "Honestly, we almost ran out of baseballs," manager Matt Williams said. "Between he and Wilson (Ramos), whoever gets in the park first today and goes to the outfield will have lots of souvenirs." Williams said Harper will begin a minor league rehab assignment after the Nationals begin a road trip next week. "Im still trying to see where my swings at. ... I dont see myself coming back after five games or four games," Harper said. "I really want to push it and see how I feel after eight, nine games down there. If I feel good before that, then Ill see where Im at." Williams will have to do some shuffling when Harper returns. Ryan Zimmerman, whose chronic shoulder problems have moved him off thhird base, has been playing in Harpers spot in left field.dddddddddddd Williams originally said Zimmerman will move back to third, but now the manager says he will move players around depending on matchups and to give players rest. Zimmerman could be playing first base, third base or left field, while Harper will be used in all three outfield positions. Anthony Rendon will shuffle between second base and third base. "It doesnt really matter to me. I just want to play," Harper said. "I just want to be in the lineup and hopefully I can come back and help the team win." The Nationals have been playing well recently in Harpers absence, moving into first place in the NL East ahead of Thursdays opener of a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves. "One through nine, everyones swinging it really, really well right now. Were playing well. Im the odd man out, I guess," he joked. ' ' '