After rolling his ankle late in Tuesday afternoon's practice, Vikings defensive end Jared Allen returned to the field Wednesday morning for the team's walk-through, moving without much of a limp. Head coach Leslie Frazier said Allen's ankle injury was not serious. Nor was Harrison Smith's knee injury. The second-year safety twisted a knee on Tuesday.
That's big news for the Vikings, who will need both Allen and Smith to be major contributors on defense this season.
Meanwhile, both cornerback Xavier Rhodes and linebacker Desmond Bishop continue to ease back from hamstring injuries. Both players are expected to do some light work this afternoon, though neither figures to play Friday night in the first preseason game.
The Vikings will return to the field at 2:30 p.m. for their final practice of this week. Their preseason opener comes Friday night at Mall of America Field against Houston.
