Kevin Williams Returns To Practice, Should Play Sunday

The Minnesota Vikings' defense, which looked pretty bad in getting thrashed by the Detroit Lions in Week 1, should get a bit of a boost this coming Sunday. Defensive tackle Kevin Williams, who hadn't practiced since before the third pre-season game, returned to practice in Minnesota on Wednesday.

Coach Leslie Frazier made no bones about the impact that Williams could have on the Minnesota defense.

"Kevin is so important to us that his absence, it makes a difference. He was one of the best ever to play the position, so any time you don't have him, not only from a performance standpoint but a leadership standpoint, it's going to affect your team."

The longest-tenured Viking is likely in his last season with the team, and was looking at a reduced role on defense this season as the team attempts to groom rookie Sharrif Floyd to take his place. Still, it will be nice to see the venerable old #93 out there at Soldier Field on Sunday. After all, more snaps for Williams means fewer snaps for Letroy Guion, who started in Williams' place on Sunday and had a pretty terrible performance. Said performance culminated with Guion smacking Matthew Stafford upside the head to incur a penalty on what would have been a stop on 3rd-and-18 in a 27-24 game.

Hopefully the return of Kevin Williams can give the Vikings' defense at least a push in the right direction.