PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Salisbury Moving Up With Vikings

Sean Salisbury, who didn’t play a down last season as the Minnesota Vikings’ third-string quarterback, is being rewarded for a busy off-season and a successful early preseason.

He will follow Wade Wilson into tonight’s exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Steeler--ahead of Rich Gannon, who started 12 games for an injured Wilson in 1990.

“Things have gone pretty well. I prepared hard this off-season. I didn’t just show up July 22 for the start of camp,” Salisbury said. “As far as demotion or promotion, I don’t know anything about it. I’m not really reading anything into it. But you always like to hope it’s a significant situation.”

Of Salisbury, Viking Coach Jerry Burns said: “He throws the ball well. He’s got a nice, high release. He seems to handle the blitz well. He’s got poise and settles the team at the line of scrimmage. He’s a smart kid who takes to coaching very well.”

Wide receiver Wesley Carroll, the New Orleans Saints’ top draft choice, signed a three-year contract, ending a 26-day holdout. . . . Reyna Thompson, who earned a Pro Bowl berth last season with his special teams play, signed a two-year contract with the New York Giants, ending a 24-day holdout.