SEATTLE — The thumb injury that ended Ty Chandler's rookie year after five weeks was behind him, and the Vikings' circumstances at running back meant Chandler's return was tinged with opportunity.
Alexander Mattison, the team's new No. 1 running back after Dalvin Cook's June release, would sit out the preseason opener like most of the Vikings starters, and Kene Nwangwu would not play because of an undisclosed injury. A year ago, Chandler won a roster spot after leading the Vikings in preseason rushing yards; if he could show a broader set of skills in 2023, he might be able to win the team's No.