Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen returned to practice Tuesday after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury. Six other starters, however, did not practice on the day the team returned from a bye week.
Nose tackle Linval Joseph (knee), defensive tackle Shamar Stephen (listed two weeks ago with knee injury) and linebacker Ben Gedeon (concussion) were not present; defensive end Everson Griffen (undisclosed) and safeties Harrison Smith (hamstring) and Anthony Harris (groin) were on the side without helmets.
The Vikings play Monday at Seattle and are not required to put out an injury report until Thursday.
Thielen missed three of the past four games. He was hurt Oct. 20 at Detroit and sat out the Oct. 24 game against Washington. He aggravated the injury Nov. 3 at Kansas City and sat out Nov. 10 at Dallas and Nov. 17 against Denver.
“We’re very excited to get him back and see him make plays out there,” said Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. “Thielen is one of the top receivers in the NFL and he’s proven that. He does so many great things to help this team, not only make plays but as a leader. as well.”
Joseph has missed the past two games; Harris sat out against the Broncos. Smith and Gedeon were injured against Denver and left the game.
Guard Josh Kline returned tp practice after missing the Broncos game because of a concussion. Kline, who has missed three of the past eight games with injuries and been replaced by Dakota Dozier, expects to be back in the lineup against the Seahawks.
“I would assume so,” he said. “(Injuries are) just part of the game. … Dakota stepped up and played really well.”
BRIEFLY
–Former Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson is one of 25 semifinalists announced Tuesday for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hutchinson, who played for the Vikings from 2006-11, was one of the 15 finalists in each of the previous two years. Hutchinson, who also played with Seattle from 2001-05 and with Tennessee in 2012, made four of his seven career Pro Bowls and was named all-pro three of his five times while with Minnesota.
–For the fourth time in his career, Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks on Monday will face his brother Mychal’s NFL team. When the linebacker was with Philadelphia, the two met in 2016 and in the 2017 NFC Championship Game. They met last year in Seattle. Mychal’s team has won all three previous games. “It’s always special, us sharing the field together,” Eric said. “We’re not going to face each other, really, but it’s pretty special when I get to see him on the field.”
–Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes can’t hit running back Dalvin Cook in practice, but he was asked if he wants to. “He talks a lot of trash,’’ Rhodes said lightheartedly. “Yes, I want to. But I can’t.’’
