The Vikings have released CB Marcell Gipson in the first significant move of training camp. Gipson, who left the team to be with his family after the death of his grandmother, asked for and received his release.

In other news, former LB Ben Leber signed a one year $1.25 million contract with the St. Louis Rams. Seattle Seahawks, which is quickly becoming the Minnesota Vikings West, as Tarvaris Jackson, Sidney Rice, and now Leber have signed to play for the Seahawks.

Although Leber had a good year last year, the emergence of LB Erin Henderson made Leber expendable, even though his contract seemed to be a very reasonable one for the Seahawks, who get a solid vet at a bargain price.

In other training camp news, the muscle and hamstring tweak fairy has visited the Vikings. TE Visanthe Shiancoe, G Steve Hutchinson, and S Tyrell Johnson have all ‘tweaked’ muscles or hamstrings in the last day or two, and have been held out of practice at some point.

Shiancoe, who’s expected to be a big part of Bill Musgrave’s new two tight end offense, will not play in the Vikings pre-season game against Tennessee on Saturday, but the Vikings insist that it’s just a precaution, and if it were a regular season game, he would be available.