Cole hasn't played a snap on defense for Minnesota through two regular season games.

Cole was in contention for the starting middle linebacker role in the preseason, but he's been limited to special teams after losing out on the job to Gerald Hodges and Eric Kendricks.

Cole started at middle linebacker in Sunday's preseason win over Pittsburgh and had three tackles.

It's possible Cole could begin the season as the starter with 2015 second-round draft pick Eric Kendricks replacing him in passing situations. Gerald Hodges also got time at middle linebacker Sunday as well. However, it seems like just a matter of time before Kendricks takes over the majority of snaps at middle linebacker.

Cole was listed on Minnesota's initial depth chart as the starter at middle linebacker, ESPN reports.

It's possible Cole could begin the season as the starter with 2015 second-round draft pick Eric Kendricks replacing him in passing situations. Gerald Hodges may also get a look at middle linebacker. However, it seems like just a matter of time before Kendricks takes over the majority of snaps at middle linebacker.

Cole will start at linebacker in place of injured Chad Greenway in Sunday's game against Chicago, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Cole entered the season with a shot at a starting job, but has seen a limited reserve role with nb more than 23 snaps on defense in any game. He'll get a full workload Sunday to make an impression for the team's 2015 plans.

Cole did not have a tackle and played just eight snaps on defense in Sunday's win at St. Louis.

Cole is the backup to Jasper Brinkley and looks like he'll have a surprisingly limited role off the bench despite talk the two could share the role.

Jasper Brinkley started at middle linebacker and had two tackles in Thursday's preseason win over Tennessee and appears to have won the starting job over Cole, but head coach Mike Zimmer hasn't made a final decision, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Cole started the game at outside linebacker and later played middle linebacker, which shows he's likely a backup at multiple positions. It's also possible the two could share playing time, as Brinkley seems stronger in early downs against the run.

Cole had two total tackles in Saturday's preseason win over Arizona. While Jasper Brinkley started at middle linebacker job, the starting job remains an even battle between the two, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

It's also possible the two could share the role with Brinkley getting more time in likely running situations. It sounds like the battle for the starting job will be decided late in the preseason.

Cole had four tackles in Friday's preseason win over Oakland.

Cole showed he was over last year's season-ending ankle injury. Cole will compete with Jasper Brinkley for the starting MLB role this preseason.

The Vikings have used MLB Audie Cole in their base defense during OTAs.

Cole made five starts filling in for Erin Henderson last year and is competing with Jasper Brinkley for the middle linebacker job. He could also replace Anthony Barr on the strong side in sub-packages, with Barr moving to an on-the-line pass rusher role. Chad Greenway will get the majority of his snaps on the weak side.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune belives the Vikings will select at least one linebacker in the NFL Draft.

Despite having eight linebackers on the roster, Minnesota's only sure starter is SLB Chad Greenway. The middle linebacker position will likely be manned by either Audie Cole or Jasper Brinkley, leaving the weakside linebacker position of second-year LB Gerald Hodges as the most likely area for upgrade. The Vikings have eight total picks in next month's draft.

ESPN.com's Ben Goessling considers Audie Cole the favorite for the Vikings' starting middle linebacker job.

Cole made five starts filling in for Erin Henderson last year, finishing with 45 tackles and a sack. The Vikings released Henderson this offseason, leaving Cole to compete with Jasper Brinkley for snaps. The middle linebacker position is highly productive in Mike Zimmer's 4-3 scheme, so Cole is worth monitoring in IDP leagues if he wins the starting job. Minnesota is also high on 2013 seventh-rounder Michael Mauti and could target a middle linebacker in the early rounds of the draft.

Vikings MLB Audie Cole will miss Week 17 with an ankle injury.

A second-year former seventh-round pick out of NC State, Cole showed some glimpses of emerging as Minnesota's middle linebacker of the future, racking up 45 tackles and starting five games. Pro Football Focus graded out Cole as sub-par against the run, but positively in coverage. This will be an IDP situation to monitor during the offseason. It's a high-production position.

Audie Cole will remain the Vikings' starting middle linebacker going forward.

Filling in for Erin Henderson (personal) over the last two weeks, Cole has performed extremely well while racking up 22 tackles and one sack. Henderson is now back, but will move to the weak side. Cole is an IDP plug-n-play.

Coaches have told Audie Cole that the starting middle linebacker position is open for competition.

Last year's starting middle 'backer Jasper Brinkley signed with the Cardinals in free agency, leaving Cole as the tentative starter. The 2012 seventh-round pick is expected to see competition in the form of an early-round rookie. It's an IDP situation to monitor as the underwhelming Brinkley managed 98 tackles a year ago.

Vikings signed seventh-round LB Audie Cole to a four-year contract.

Minnesota's coaching staff become familiar with Cole while coaching him at the Senior Bowl. The former N.C. State star runs well (4.76 forty) for his size at 6'4" and 246 pounds. If he makes the 2012 roster, it will likely be as a special teamer.