Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer

We're excited to get back to U.S. Bank Stadium in front of our home fans. Hopefully it's nice and loud in there. We've had a good week of preparation, and we're hoping to go out and play really well.

Q: How much does the short week next week play into whether players who are currently injured are active against Buffalo?

A: It doesn't. If they can play, they play. We're not worried about next week, we're worried about the Buffalo Bills.

Q: If you have to keep another running back as one of the 46 players active this Sunday, what criteria do you use to decide between Mike Boone and Roc Thomas?

A: We check out who practiced better this week.

Q: How are you listing Dalvin Cook for Sunday?

A: Out.

Q: The same for Everson Griffen?

A: Yep.

Q: From what you saw from Danielle Hunter in the preseason, how do you think he's able to switch back and forth between right and left end?

A: No issues for him. He likes both sides. No issues with him whatsoever.

Q: What have you seen from Tom Johnson's retention as he picks up where he left off?

A: Pretty good. He's remembered a lot of things. Obviously there was some things that we had to go over, but for the most part he's remembered everything well.

Q: Is there a concern that Dalvin Cook's hamstring injury could linger, considering you have a game next Thursday?

A: We're not talking about that game, we're talking about this game. I don't know.

Q: With Lorenzo Alexander, you probably saw him at a couple of different positions along the way. What can you say about the player that he's become for Buffalo, playing on both sides of the ball?

A: Their whole front is really good. But yeah, it's like every place when they have things that you can do a lot of things with. Guys that are versatile, guys that have a lot of different skill sets, it's easy to use them in different situations.

Q: How does Dalvin Cook's absence affect the play calling?

A: Every play is designed for guys that are in there.

Q: What has stood out in these first few weeks of practice about Mike Boone and Roc Thomas?

A: Thomas was hurt quite a bit in the preseason, but he's got explosiveness, catches the ball well, good start and stop. Boone is a hard, physical runner that has speed to the perimeter, catches the ball well.

Q: Do you think the amount of work Boone got in during OTAs when Dalvin wasn't practicing will help him if he has to contribute on Sunday?

A: Yeah.

Q: How has Aldrick Robinson done picking up the offense in the first few days?

A: Pretty good. I think that we're surprised with how much he was able to get in with the offense. He's done a nice job, he's a smart guy.

Q: Do you feel good about your overall depth and how the potential substitutes have looked at various positions?

A: Yeah.

Q: Will Pat Elflein make his debut on Sunday?

A: Yes.

Q: Will he start?

A: No.

Q: Do you use Aldrick Robinson mostly as a slot receiver, or is he able to play outside as well?

A: Yeah, he's been lining up outside, lining up inside.

Q: How has Dan Bailey looked this week?

A: Hasn't missed any.

Q: Do you have an estimate of how many kicks he's taken?

A: With the team, probably 30, 32.

Q: Do you plan to rotate Pat Elflein in? What role do you expect for him on Sunday?

A: We have a role for him, and we've talked about it. We'll see how it goes Sunday.