The Minnesota Vikings have released cornerback Jacob Lacey after less than four months with the franchise.

Lacey was brought onto the Vikings roster with a view of potentially replacing Antoine Winfield, who joined the Seattle Seahawks during the off-season.

However, the 26-year-old suffered an injury early in the Vikings' training camp that forced him to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery last week.

Lacey had also been struggling with a thumb injury before damaging his knee, and coach Leslie Frazier decided that he was surplus to requirements at the franchise.

Lacey played for the Indianapolis Colts between 2009 and 2011 before joining the Detroit Lions last season.