Vikings sign Brian Leonhardt to one-year deal

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings had been in search of a blocking tight end, with Rhett Ellison trying to work his way back from a torn patellar tendon. They got their man Friday -- and added another Minnesota native to their roster.

According to a league source, the Vikings signed former San Francisco 49ers tight end Brian Leonhardt to a one-year, $600,000 contract, adding the Spring Lake Park High School and Bemidji State product to their roster. The Vikings had been keeping an eye on Leonhardt through the first stage of free agency and finalized a deal with him Friday.

With Ellison's status in some doubt, the addition of Leonhardt -- who played four games with the 49ers last year and…