The Vikings started off their work week with some good news.

Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returned to practice today after missing last Thursday's loss to the Packers with a sprained left ankle. Bridgewater suffered the injury in the Week 4 win over the Falcons and only practiced once — on a limited basis in a closed practice — last week before the team decided to hold him out in Green Bay.

"He's fine," head coach Mike Zimmer said. "Yeah, he's alright."

I'm not an athletic trainer, but Bridgewater didn't seem to be too bothered by the ankle today during the individual drills we were allowed to watch. The quarterbacks were more or less warming up while practice was open to media, but Bridgewater wasn't grimacing or showing signs of discomfort.

There was some not-so-good news, though.

Safety Harrison Smith, who has been the team's best defender this season, was not at practice today. He injured his ankle in the Packers game and was spotted on crutches last Friday.

Zimmer wasn't in the mood to talk about injuries, though, so no updates on Smith today.

Also not practicing during the portion of today's practice open to media were wide receiver Jarius Wright, outside linebacker Chad Greenway and tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Wright is a new absentee. Zimmer said he missed practice for personal reasons.

As for the new practice-squad guys, they were all present and accounted for today.