EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have signed long snapper Matt Katula to replace the injured Cullen Loeffler.

The Vikings signed Katula on Tuesday, two days after Loeffler was lost for two to six weeks with a broken bone in his lower back. Loeffler was injured after a hit while covering a punt in the loss at Atlanta on Sunday.

Katula spent five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and played last season with the New England Patriots.

The Vikings made the move so they didn’t have to use star defensive end Jared Allen in the role and expose him to more risk of injury. Allen stepped in on Sunday against the Falcons and performed well in emergency duty.

The Vikings host the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

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