EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Vikings announced on Tuesday the signing of free agent linebacker Jason Trusnik to the 53-man roster and placed MLB Audie Cole on the season-ending injured reserve.

Trusnik is very familiar with Vikings Defensive Coordinator George Edwards. He spent four seasons with Edwards and the Miami Dolphins from (2011-14), and had Edwards as his position coach in 2012-13. The linebacker had 32 total tackles for the Dolphins in his last season there.

"Trusnik is an experienced guy. He's played 10 years in this league, understands how to come in and be a true pro, understands his role, will be able to help us out and back up multiple positions," Edwards said. "In the past, he's been a very good special teams player and is a good person that can be a pro, work, understand what his role is and be able to help us in case something comes up where we need him in the lineup or in the rotation."

Here is a list of five things to know about the newest member of the Minnesota Vikings:

1. He has 25 career NFL starts

Trusnik has appeared in 109 games and made 25 starts in the previous nine seasons. He has 3.5 career sacks, five passes defensed and an interception in his NFL career. 

2. Trusnik was with the Carolina Panthers organization during training camp

Trusnik spent the 2015 offseason with the Carolina Panthers, but was released during roster reductions in September.

3. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2009

For games played during Week Three of the 2009 season, Trusnik won his first, and only Player of the Week Award. In the first quarter of the New York Jets game against Tennessee, he forced a fumble. He knocked the ball loose from Titans kick returner Ryan Mouton and recovered the ball at the Titans 19-yard line leading the Jets to a victory.

4. Trusnik played Division III college football

The Cleveland native played collegiately at Ohio Northern, where he was named a Division III All-American and two-time All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection.

5. He was an undrafted free agent

An undrafted free agent in 2007, Trusnik joined the NFL with the New York Jets and spent time on the practice and active/inactive rosters until 2009, when he was traded to the Cleveland Browns.