Mike Zimmer’s Vikings practice against former Bengals team

After starting the first 89 games of his National Football League career at right offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings, Phil Loadholt had missed the past 21 because of shoulder and Achilles tendon injuries.

The Bengals also will be without starting tight end Tyler Eifert, who is recovering from ankle surgery and hasn’t been cleared to practice. Players say they want to make their coach proud. There were a lot of great people in the administration.

Added Zimmer: “Obviously, they’re a good football team, and I have a great relationship with Marvin and the Browns”.

One player who has been healthy is center John Sullivan, who has returned from the back injury that kept him out of the entire 2015 season.

“It’s been real fun to compete against different guys, just to see how my talent excels”, Boyd said.

Zimmer was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator from 2000-2006.

Newman, 37, told the St. Paul Pioneer Press after Tuesday’s practice that he would stay behind because of an injury.

For Zimmer, though, the connection to Cincinnati remains especially strong. They signed Brandon LaFell and drafted Tyler Boyd, who was impressive during practice on Thursday against the Vikings, catching several passes from Dalton. Special teams and practice squad could also be possibilities for Ham.

“They’re going to get a chance to play a lot”, Zimmer said. “When I left Atlanta, I was there for three-quarters of a year or whatever”. I’ll be very excited to see him.

In some ways, Zimmer is still making an impact with the Bengals.

“I’d like to thank Minnesota State”, Zimmer said. “He changed the culture around here”.

“Some days he’s good, and some days he needs to do better, just like everybody”, Zimmer said.

Zimmer has been friends with the Bengals’ Marvin Lewis since their days as college coaches. “I can’t wait to go out and hit some of his players”. “If it was some other team I probably wouldn’t have done it”.

Zimmer’s Bengals defenses ranked in the top 10 in total defense four times between 2009 and 2013, climbing to No. 3 in 2013.

Throughout last year’s Training Camp, the prevailing wisdom was that Kendricks seemed out of place and that the game was too fast for him.

The practices will offer a good measuring stick for the Vikings against a team that has made the playoffs five straight seasons and previous year won the AFC North with a 12-4 record.

“I anticipate that we’ll get a lot of good work”, Zimmer said.

“We communicate, ” Fusco said. “He’s still learning a lot of things coming from Canada, but I think he’s been doing good”.