EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) &045; Three months ago, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Terrance Shaw found himself atop the NFL’s scrap heap, another veteran whose declining skills no longer could justify his contract.

Carolina, which had signed Shaw as a free agent in April, released him Sept. 5 after a lackluster preseason.

Though Shaw briefly pondered whether he’d play a 10th season at all, it took just eight days &045; and a freak accident that left Vikings nickelback Ken Irvin with a ruptured Achilles’ tendon &045; for the 31-year-old to find his newest football home.

&uot;There’s going to be times when sometimes you get tried, you get tested &045; you’ve got to come back,&uot; Shaw said Wednesday. &uot;Like I was telling the young guys, corner is a mental state.&uot;

With top cornerback Antoine Winfield sidelined by an ankle injury, Shaw’s head &045; and his ability to step into a starting role &045; will be tested when the Vikings host Seattle on Sunday.