Access Vikings morning walkthrough: Vikings hand rookie Kendricks leading role, Kansas City RB Charles out for season

Every weekday, we walk you through what's going on with the Vikings.

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

Vikings rookie linebacker Eric Kendricks moves into lead role after the surprising trade that sent linebacker Gerald Hodges to the 49ers last week.

Newest Viking Nick Easton quickly hits the books and practiced with the team for the first time Monday.

Zimmer in no mood to elaborate on Hodges trade, Kendricks promotion during his first press conference after the bye week.

Vikings try to fix cornerback Xavier Rhodes' penalty problems with boxing gloves.

Video vault:

Vikings rookie LB Eric Kendricks settling in.

Nick Easton joins Vikings after bye week.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

Chiefs exploring several options to replace Jamaal Charles.

Chiefs' Andy Reid relies on experience to make big decisions.

TODAY'S VIKINGS SCHEDULE

Players have the day off and will be back in the building at Winter Park Wednesday.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Being asked to wear boxing gloves during football practice likely had a humbling effect on Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes. It brought extra attention to his seven penalties in four games and the coaching staff's disappointment. When I first asked Rhodes about the gloves, he tried to play it off as having a little fun. We all knew it was bigger than that, but his teammates did a good job of making the best of the situation.

"We know he's a very physical guy. It shows with seven penalties on the year," fellow cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said. "So we're just trying to get [the penalties] down. … And just trying to be [good] teammates, laughing, joking with him, letting him know it's not a thing that coach wants to insult you on. … We're just trying to get you better.