Quarterback Matt Cassel made an appearance in the open locker room today and was in much better spirits than he was five weeks ago, when he said he was "devastated" his season was over.

Cassel was all smiles when he scooted into the locker room, his surgically-repaired left foot still elevated on a cart, and he acknowledged it took a little time for him to come to grips with his injury.

"Anytime you have an injury and you're out for a substantial amount of time, especially since this has been the longest I've been out at any time during my career, being out for the season," the veteran said, "it's always difficult at first. I think you try to find different ways to still be involved."

Cassel attends meetings and will point out things to rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

"I think Teddy's done a tremendous job in a difficult situation," Cassel said.

He also asked the coaching staff for projects to work on, such as a review of their red-zone offense.

"Oh, I miss it. Anytime you get something taken away, especially your job, it's always difficult," he said. "But I'm staying involved. I'm coming in every single day. I've been in meetings every day. That part has kept my moral high. I've spent a little extra time with the family. That's been great. But at the same time, you definitely miss the competitiveness of being out there on a daily basis and Sunday."

Cassel said his recovery is going well. The shattered bones in his foot are healing. And in a couple of weeks, the three wires that were inserted into his foot to keep some of the bones in place will be removed, allowing him to start walking and perhaps by the end of the season throwing footballs.

Cassel has even found a silver lining with the wires that are sticking out of his foot.

"So for Halloween, I think it would probably be a pretty good look," he joked.