Head coach Mike Zimmer was in an upbeat mood this morning, even telling us that he was happy to see us (right back at you, Coach). And while he doesn't seem to be much of a numbers guy, he came to his press conference locked and loaded with a statistical trend from the team's four losses.

"The two games we've won, we've had no turnovers and no sacks [allowed]," he said. "The games we lost, we've had 10 turnovers and [22] sacks. That kind of tells you where it's at right there."

But while he was chatty today, he only gave us one word when he was asked if we will see the same five starting offensive linemen this weekend when the Vikings travel to play the Bills.

"Possibly," Zimmer replied.

I outlined the offensive line situation in yesterday's newspaper, and one of the theoretical changes could be starting rookie David Yankey, who has yet to be activated for a game this season, over one of the veteran starters, Charlie Johnson or Vlad Ducasse. But Zimmer, a few minutes after noting that it took time for Bills defenders Jerry Hughes and Marcell Dareus to develop into quality pros, explained why Yankey (and rookie defensive end Scott Crichton) have been brought along slowly.

"They're both getting better," Zimmer said. "Crichton has been close to being activated. He was active for the first week. But unfortunately you can only dress 46 [players]. Yankey, he's getting better. We're just trying to get him better with his technique and some of the things that he does."

He added: "Sometimes the maturation process of [certain] young players takes a little bit longer."

Speaking of rookies maturing, running back Jerick McKinnon showed the coaching staff enough to give him the start last weekend against the Lions. But Zimmer said today that he wants to give the man he replaced, Matt Asiata, more carries than the two he had against the Lions.

"I just like Asiata," Zimmer said. "He's got some physicality. He's played well this year. He had that one fumble against Green Bay but that was after [an 11-yard] run. Matt's an extremely dependable guy and I anticipate that when he carries the ball he's going to get some yardage."

Speaking of dependable players, outside linebacker Chad Greenway, who has missed the past three games with broken ribs, will practice today, according to Zimmer. That is a sign that Greenway might be ready to return to the field this weekend, but we'll see how the week goes.