Every weekday, our Vikings reporters walk you through what's happening with the team that day.

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

— Are the Vikings better than they are being given credit for?

— The Vikings remain undecided at one of their starting safety spots.

— NT Linval Joseph, RT Phil Loadholt and OLB Anthony Barr all returned to practice.

— TE MarQueis Gray is happy to be back in the Twin Cities.

TWEET OF THE (YESTER)DAY

AROUND THE NFC NORTH

— Will the new Bears defense respond when the bell rings?

— The Packers are counting on rookie C Corey Linsley to start.

— Rookie OLB Kyle Van Noy could be headed to IR but with a return designation.

TODAY'S VIKINGS SCHEDULE

Players have the day off. They'll be back at Winter Park tomorrow for their regular work week.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

The Vikings got rid of three experienced starting safeties in Chris Crocker, Kurt Coleman and Jamarca Sanford and replaced them with two veterans, Robert Blanton and Andrew Sendejo, with 13 combined starts in the league and a sixth-round pick, Antone Exum, who is in his first season.