Erin Henderson Avoids Jail Time For New Years DWI

Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson (50) celebrates his tackle of a Detroit Lions running back in the first quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

An update now on Erin Henderson‘s legal situation. The former Vikings linebacker faced a potential one year jail sentence after his New Years DWI arrest, his second such arrest in a span of six weeks, but after cutting a deal Henderson will avoid jail time.

Under the terms of the deal, Henderson will receive 2 years probation and pay an $1,120 fine.

The Vikings kept Henderson after his first DWI incident, unofficially suspending him for a short period before restoring him to the active roster.

The second arrest was the last strike for Henderson, who was cut with a year remaining on his two-year contract.

Henderson recently talked about his alcohol and drug problems with USA Today, saying he used to show up for practice hung over. He told Tom Pelissero that he has checked into a rehab facility and is trying to turn his life around.

After striking a deal to avoid prison time, Henderson can now work on trying to get his career back together. He has received zero attention as a free agent this offseason but there is a chance a team could come calling down the road.

Perhaps Henderson’s old coach Leslie Frazier would be willing to give him a shot down in Tampa Bay. I don’t see him ever scoring a starting job again, but Henderson could still be a solid backup in the right scheme.

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