Seeking help at cornerback, Vikings play host to free agent Asante Samuel Jr. for a visit

The Vikings played host to free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. on a visit to TCO Performance Center that began Thursday evening and continued Friday.

Samuel, the 2021 second-round pick by the Chargers, has reportedly been medically cleared to play again after undergoing spinal fusion surgery in April. But the many teams interested in Samuel, including the Vikings, will want their medical professionals to evaluate his recovery before signing him.

“I’ve always liked Asante and I know he’s taking a lot of visits,” coach Kevin O’Connell said Friday. “I think he wants to make sure everybody totally understands where he’s at health-wise and I know he wants to play football. ... Our personnel guys are doing the best they can to always evaluate anything that would be a good move.”

The Vikings are among six teams, including the Packers, Panthers, 49ers, Bears and Steelers, to schedule a visit with Samuel, who reportedly has meetings in San Francisco, Chicago and Pittsburgh next week.

Samuel, 26, is the son of former All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel, who played 11 seasons for the Patriots, Eagles and Falcons.

The Vikings need cornerback help while Jeff Okudah, the No. 3 option who played 93 snaps over six games, recovers in the concussion protocol for the second time this season. Okudah was pulled from the Oct. 23 road loss to the Chargers after 11 snaps. He initially suffered a concussion in the season-opening victory in Chicago.

Okudah and tight end Josh Oliver (foot) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Ravens. On Saturday, the Vikings placed Okudah on injured reserve, meaning he’ll miss at least the next four games.

For the second year in a row, the Vikings have turned to 31-year-old journeyman Fabian Moreau as the next cornerback up after one of the top three goes down due to injury. He had three tackles in 24 snaps against the Lions on Sunday.

The Vikings promoted Moreau from the practice squad to the active roster on Saturday.

Running back Aaron Jones has said he expects to play through an AC joint sprain in his shoulder, but he is still listed questionable to play Sunday. Jones’ reps were limited again during Friday’s practice.

Jones, 30, was impactful in his second game back from a hamstring injury that cost him four games earlier this season. He took 11 touches for 98 yards from scrimmage against the Lions before exiting because of the shoulder injury.

For depth in case Jones is limited or can’t play, the Vikings elevated running back Corey Kiner from the practice squad for Sunday vs. the Ravens.

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) does not have an injury designation. He returned to practice Friday and was a full participant.

With only center Ryan Kelly (concussion) unavailable for the starting offensive line, this marks the first time since Week 3 vs. the Bengals that four of the five blockers don’t carry injury designations. But the Vikings have had at least one starting offensive lineman either on injured reserve, listed out or listed questionable entering all nine games so far.

Fullback C.J. Ham will suit up against the Ravens for just the third time this season. He has been cleared to return from a two-game absence due to a left hand injury suffered Oct. 19 against the Eagles. Ham, the Duluth native, also missed four games because of a knee injury.

Ham had been available for 130 of 132 regular-season games before this year. His return will affect many areas, including giving quarterback J.J. McCarthy another personal protector on passing downs.