and never was able to assert himself. Carlson only cau

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have released veteran tight end John Carlson. The Vikings made the move on Wednesday, cutting ties with a Minnesota native who never was able to make the impact expected of him when he signed contract that guaranteed him more than $9 million in 2012. Carlson was plagued by injuries in his two seasons with the Vikings. He sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee during his first training camp with the team and never was able to assert himself. Carlson only caught one touchdown in his two seasons with the Vikings and was scheduled to make $3 million. The Vikings also have Kyle Rudolph, Rhett Ellison and Chase Ford at tight end. Carl Banks Womens Jersey . Costa injured his right thigh muscle against Barcelona last Saturday and had sought treatment in Belgrade from a doctor specializing in using fluid derived from horse placenta to repair damaged cells. Dexter Lawrence Jersey . Coverage on TSN is underway now while action resumes on TSN2 at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. TSN GO also offers TSN subscribers bonus online coverage, with live streams of all four venues. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-...mines-Jersey/.C. -- Martin Kaymer set a U. Evan Engram Giants Jersey . You can watch coverage on TSN, TSN2 and CTV beginning today at 3pm et/Noon pt. The championships will feature approximately 250 of Canadas best figure skaters in senior, junior and novice as they vie for spots on the national team, international assignments and will act as the final step in the 2014 Olympic qualification process. Eli Manning Giants Jersey .J. -- Pete Carroll said it was the suspension of linebacker Bruce Irvin last spring that finally got the attention of the rest of the Seattle Seahawks that they needed to be taking their commitment to the team more seriously. LONDON -- Jermain Defoe retained his place in the England squad for the friendly against Denmark despite his impending move to Canada, but playing in Major League Soccer might harm his chances of making the World Cup. Defoe, who has 19 goals in 55 England games, has appeared in only two Tottenham games in two months as he prepares to head to Toronto FC for the start of MLS next month. "You cant deny of course that playing for Toronto cant be put on a par with playing in the Premier League -- nobody would expect me to say that," England coach Roy Hodgson said on Thursday. "And all these factors will be taken into consideration when we make a (squad) decision." But Hodgson stressed that playing for Toronto "wont necessarily count against" the striker if his goal-scoring touch also travels with him. "I would judge it on the player, what the player brings, what I think he will add to the squad, and there will be an element of his form and how hes playing at the moment," Hodgson said. Defoe was included in the 30-man squad for Wednesdays Denmark game at the expense of Andy Carroll, who made five appearances for West Ham since returning from a foot injury in January before being suspended for a red card. "Carroll has hardly played but we will be keeping an eye on him," Hodgson said. Also, Southampton defender Luke Shaw was called up for the first time ahead of the World Cup. The 18-year-old Shaw has a chance to stake his claim for a place in the World Cup squad in the last friendly before Hodgsoon names his players in May.dddddddddddd "Anyone who has watched him play recently will not deny he deserves a place in a large squad like this," Hodgson said. "He has played extremely well and is a very exciting talent." Shaw, one of four Southampton players in the squad, will be competing for a place at left back with veteran Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines. After the Denmark game, England has three friendlies before the World Cup -- against Peru at Wembley on May 30 before heading to Miami to play Ecuador and Honduras. At the World Cup, England plays Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D. ------ England: Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion) Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Steven Caulker (Cardiff), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham) Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) Strikers: Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Jay Rodriguez (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United) ' ' '