Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah returned from a two-week absence due to a shoulder injury, jumping back into 11-on-11 drills during Thursday's joint practice against the Cardinals. It gave defensive coordinator Brian Flores yet another option in a scheme that could hand out many part-time roles this season.
The Vikings deployed all three linebackers — veteran Jordan Hicks, rookie Ivan Pace Jr. and Asamoah — with the starting defense on Thursday. Asamoah started next to Hicks. Then Pace and Asamoah took snaps together without Hicks. On the next series, Hicks was the only linebacker on the field in a dime package featuring six defensive backs around him.