Vikings cornerback A.J. Jefferson has signed his restricted free agent tender, the team announced Friday, April 12.

Jefferson, who was acquired in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals last August, wound up playing more than 60 percent of the Vikings’ defensive snaps in 2012, seeing more consistent playing time after Chris Cook broke a bone in his forearm in November. The Vikings acquired him because of his press coverage skills, and though he struggled at times last season, he figures to compete for time as a nickel cornerback, and could fight with Josh Robinson for a starting spot opposite Cook.

The Vikings had placed the low tender on Jefferson, who was a restricted free agent. That means he will make $1.323 million in 2013, and while another team could have signed Jefferson — who went undrafted out of Fresno State — without draft pick compensation, the Vikings could have matched any offer made to the defensive back.

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