Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer Reinstated by Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings announced they will officially reinstate special teams coach Mike Priefer on Monday:

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The decision by Vikings ownership follows extensive conversations with the independent professional consultants retained to conduct individualized anti-harassment, diversity and sexual orientation training with Coach Priefer. Those consultants have conveyed to the team that Coach Priefer was fully and thoughtfully engaged throughout the process and successfully completed the program.

Details within the settlement agreement pertaining to the actions by the team remain confidential.

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The team suspended Priefer in the summer for three games after former punter Chris Kluwe accused the coach of making homophobic statements on multiple occasions in an article on Deadspin.

As a result of those accusations, the Vikings launched an independent investigation to determine their merits. The investigators found that Priefer made one homophobic comment to Kluwe but couldn't corroborate any of his other claims.

Following the investigation, Priefer was suspended for three games, and the team had the option to reduce that to two games if Priefer met certain goals.

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press wondered whether or not the Vikings would opt to reduce the suspension considering the attention on the NFL this week:

Reporters asked Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer if he knew anything about Priefer's possible return after Sunday's 30-7 loss to the New England Patriots.

"I do not. As far as I know, it’s three weeks," he responded, per Tomasson.

Tomasson also noted that Priefer's return couldn't come at a better time:

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The Vikings had numerous problems Sunday with interim special-teams coordinator Joe Marciano in charge. They included having a blocked field-goal attempt returned for a touchdown in the first half and having nine players on the field for a punt return in the second half.

Marciano, who first joined the team for an Aug. 10 practice, is scheduled to leave the Vikings when Priefer’s suspension ends.

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For all intents and purposes, this would appear to be the final end point involving Priefer and Kluwe. Kluwe threatened to sue the Vikings earlier in the summer, but the two sides eventually reached a settlement.

Minnesota is 1-1 after Sunday's defeat. The team travels to New Orleans in Week 3 to play what will be a Saints team almost certainly smarting from its loss to the Cleveland Browns.