The Vikings had billed it as a warm welcome back, a return to U.S. Bank Stadium for fans who'd last trudged out to chants of "Go Pack Go" following a loss to Green Bay here on Dec. 23, 2019. And in some ways, the Vikings' first practice in front of fans at the stadium on Saturday felt like normal.
The Skol chant was back in the building for the first time in 19 months. When D.J. Wonnum dropped into coverage and returned his interception of Jake Browning for a touchdown, "Let's Go Crazy" blared through the speakers.
Even though the league's COVID-19 protocols prevent players from signing autographs for fans this year, the spectators who dotted nine sections along the stadium's north sideline could still scream for Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, who jogged over to toss something to a young fan.