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Daunte Culpepper positioned his hands underneath center Matt Birk. Randy Moss lined up on the outside.
Culpepper dropped back. Moss sprinted toward the end zone. Culpepper effortlessly
threw a bullet. Moss gracefully made a leaping catch.
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They're back — and without pain.
It might have been accomplished without fanfare on a chilly practice field at
Winter Park on Monday, but the sight of Culpepper and Moss combining for scores,
even ones that don't count, was cause for relief and celebration among the coaches.
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"They both looked great," coach Mike Tice said. "We're back to
normal."
Monday's displays by Culpepper and Moss marked their first significant work
together since Sept. 21, when both were hurt in the second quarter against Detroit.
Culpepper missed the past two games because of three fractures in his lower
back. Moss had back spasms but didn't miss any game time.
Both now are nearly 100 percent healthy, and the Vikings (5-0) expect them to
continue to star Sunday against Denver (5-1) at the Metrodome. NFL Tickets
It appears the only starter who likely will not play is receiver D'Wayne Bates,
who hasn't started the past two games because of a bruised foot. Rookie Nate
Burleson will make his second consecutive start.
"We'll be as healthy as we've been since we broke camp (in August) going
into this game," Tice said.
Thursday, Culpepper erased any doubts about whether he would be ready to play
against the Broncos by surprising the coaching staff and participating in the
entire practice. Monday, his progress continued. He even threw a couple of blocks
during practice. NFL Tickets
"I had to lay some guys out," Culpepeper said. "I had to show
them I'm back."
Culpepper, who was selected NFC offensive player of the month for September
despite missing one game, said he is not concerned about possibly being ineffective
when he returns. He said he watched backup Gus Frerotte carefully while he was
out and is prepared.
"I was involved with all the plays," Culpepper said. "The good
thing (about his injury) was I took a lot of mental reps. So I'm prepared."
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Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said the game plan would not be scaled back
to help protect Culpepper. Linehan said Culpepper, who ran freely in the past
two practices, would not be held back from playing his game.
"We're not going to run 10 quarterback draws, but I think Daunte will be
able to do everything," Linehan said. "He's back."
Tice said Moss likely would practice every day now that his back is healed.
He suffered back spasms in the season opener against Green Bay. However, he
rested all last week, and Tice said his back has responded well.
Tice said Moss put on a show in practice Monday, especially in the red zone,
where he made several impressive plays. Tice characterized Moss' practice performance
Monday as "obnoxious." NFL Tickets
Injured running back Michael Bennett ran on the side for about an hour Monday.
The Vikings hope he can work his way onto the practice field next week. His
target return date remains Nov. 2 against Green Bay. Bennett suffered a fractured
left foot in April.