Starting left tackle Matt Kalil, who missed a pair of practices this week with a toe injury, is active for today's NFC North showdown against the Packers.

The expectation was that Kalil would be in good enough shape to start after he got in a limited practice Friday and was officially listed as questionable on the final injury report. Now we have official confirmation that he will be out there against Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers and the Packers defense.

Rookie Austin Shepherd, a seventh-round draft pick, would likely replace Kalil at left tackle if Kalil were to re-aggravate his injury during the game.

Starting middle linebacker Eric Kendricks will return to the lineup after missing the past two games with an injury to his ribs. Outside linebacker Anthony Barr is also active today, as expected, despite a couple of injuries.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and running back Adrian Peterson are also active, though there was no doubt those two were going to play today.

OK, now on to the guys who aren't playing. The Vikings scratched quarterback Taylor Heinicke, cornerback Josh Robinson, linebacker Edmond Robinson, center Nick Easton, nose tackle Kenrick Ellis, offensive tackle Jeremiah Sirles and defensive end Justin Trattou.

Inactive for the Packers are quarterback Brett Hundley, cornerback LaDarius Gunter, running back Alonzo Harris, linebacker Andy Mulumba, guard Lane Taylor and wide receivers Jared Abbrederis and Ty Montgomery.

Here is some pregame reading to keep you busy until the 3:25 p.m. kickoff:

— How did the Vikings transform one of the NFL's worst defenses into one of the best? It took a combination of good coaching, smart decisions in free agency and a fistful of athletic draft picks to turn things around so quickly.

— Meet running backs coach Kirby Wilson, who does more than just point Peterson, the NFL's leading rusher entering Week 11, toward the end zone.

— Jim Souhan says Green Bay's reign in the NFC North could be slipping.

— I literally changed my mind three times while sitting down to make my prediction for today's big game. So which team did I end up settling on?