Sherels had two punt returns for an average of nine yards and also returned a blocked kick 44 yards in Monday's loss at San Francisco.

It looked like Sherels had a chance to score a touchdown after picking up a blocked kick, but he was tackled at the 26-yard line. Sherels will be Minnesota's punt returner and reserve defensive back. He didn't play a snap on defense Monday.

Sherels (hamstring) played in Saturday's preseason win over Arizona and had nine total tackles.

He'll make the roster again this season as a reserve defensive back and as the primary punt returner.

Sherels didn't play in Friday's preseason game due to a sore hamstring, the FoxSportsNorth.com reports.

The injury is likely minor and he's still likely to win a reserve defensive back and punt return role.

Vikings re-signed CB Marcus Sherels.

Sherels was entering restricted free agency. He's returned a punt for a touchdown in back-to-back seasons. Ideally, Sherels' defensive participation will go down under new coach Mike Zimmer. He's never been an effective cover man.

Vikings re-signed exclusive rights free agent CB/PR Marcus Sherels to a one-year, $555,000 contract.

Sherels, 25, appeared in all 16 games as the Vikings' punt returner in 2012, but he played just 78 snaps on defense. He averaged 9.0 yards per return, and brought one 77 yards to the house.

Vikings CB Marcus Sherels has won the team's primary punt return job.

Greg Camarillo will be Sherels' backup on punts, probably catching a few when the Vikings are backed up in their own zone. Sherels beat out Camarillo and Jaymar Johnson for the job. He's also the Vikings' No. 5 cornerback.

CB Marcus Sherels and WR Jaymar Johnson are the front-runners for the Vikings' punt return job.

Sure-handed veteran Greg Camarillo could also be used for a fair catch deep in Vikings territory. Kick return jobs can be especially hard to predict because the primary candidates may be on the roster bubble, as is the case with all three players mentioned here.