Injured Vikings tackle Phil Loadholt returned to Winter Park on Thursday, two days after surgery to repair a torn left Achilles tendon. Teammates gathered around him for hugs.
Soon, though, it was time to get back to practice. The Vikings have plenty of work to do, especially when it comes to retooling their offensive line.
Loadholt wasn't the only offensive tackle lost for the season during last week's 26-16 preseason victory over Tampa Bay. Reserve Carter Bykowski tore his pectoral muscle, the fifth Minnesota player in the past two seasons to suffer such an injury.