Injured Vikings defender returns to practice, on track to play in Week 1

The Minnesota Vikings got a nice boost to their defensive secondary this week by announcing the signing of decorated veteran defensive back Stephon Gilmore following the team's Week 3 preseason game against the Cleveland Browns.

While Gilmore is an exciting addition to the Vikings roster, Minnesota still has 52 other players, including a number of new and young cornerbacks to focus on leading up to the 2024 NFL season kickoff.

On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings got some good news about their defense as an important free agent signing this offseason returned to practice and should be ready to suit up for the season opener against the New York Giants.

Injured Vikings defender returns to practice, on track to play in Week 1

On his official X account, ESPN reporter Kevin Seifert shared that Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin was back at practice for Minnesota after dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined from team activities.

Shaquill Griffin is a 29-year-old defensive back entering his eighth season in the NFL. A former third-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in the 2017 NFL Draft, he has played for three teams in the last two seasons despite starting 79 games in his career.

Most recently, Griffin suited up for the Carolina Panthers where he recorded six combined tackles in 108 total snaps played on defense and special teams.

In Minnesota. Griffin will be in the running to start opposite Stephon Gilmore as cornerbacks and take on a leadership role in a unit with a handful of young defenders possibly looking up to the former Pro Bowl defender for guidance.

The six-foot, 198-pound cornerback will likely not see action in Minnesota's final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, but his return to practice is a huge step toward being ready for the regular season.

It's nice hearing some positive, encouraging news about the Minnesota Vikings after seeing so much struggle and hardship come down upon the team earlier in the preseason, during training camp, and the offseason.

With less than 20 days remaining before the Vikings travel to New Jersey to take on the New York Jets in Week 1 of the regular season, it is important for Minnesota to get as healthy as possible to have as many hands on deck as possible for what will likely be an extremely challenging 2024 NFL season for the purple and gold.

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