Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph "practiced a little bit" on Monday as the team returned from its bye week, coach Mike Zimmer said, and the team remains hopeful Rudolph will be able to return from a six-game absence on Sunday in Chicago.

Rudolph hasn't played since sustaining a sports hernia on Sept. 21 in New Orleans, and was originally projected to be out for six weeks, meaning a return against the Bears, after the Vikings' bye week, always seemed like a plausible option. Rudolph said last week a return for the Bears game "has been my goal the whole time," though he added he wouldn't run the risk of a setback by trying to return too quickly.

Still, it seems the Vikings could be on track to get one of their key receiving options back this weekend.

"He ran routes, and did a little bit, more than individual stuff," Zimmer said. "We'll see as the week goes on."

One has to figure Rudolph is eased back into it at least this week. The story went on to say that TE Chase Ford developed into a solid receiving option in Rudolph's absence, and the team has effectively used two-tight end sets as their base offense. The return of Rudolph -- who was slated to play a key role in both the Vikings' passing offense and their run-blocking scheme -- could be a significant addition to their offense and QB Teddy Bridgewater.

Poor timing, miscommunication and imprecision are preventing Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson from forging a more productive pitch-and-catch relationship.

Coach Mike Zimmer did not reveal trade secrets Monday when asked about Patterson being targeted seven times but only hauling in one catch in Minnesota's 29-26 victory over Washington.

The dude clearly is not on the same page.

"Yes. I'll leave it at that," Zimmer said.

Bridgewater zipped a short pass high through Patterson's hands on the first drive, then overthrew him the next series on a deep ball that would have resulted in an easy touchdown had they been in sync.

"It's nothing between the two; it's they're not precise enough," Zimmer added. "We'd love for (Patterson) to be involved but ... guys have to make sure that they're in the right places more."

It's been a frustrating season for Patterson owners who likely spent a pretty nice draft pick on Patterson back in summer. Patterson and Bridgewater have a chance to become a formidable duo, but there's still a bit of a question as to when that will be. Patterson has begun to hit the waiver wire and while he showed some signs of life Week 7 and 8, in Week 9 vs. Washington he had just one catch for nine yards.

Kyle Rudolph is ramping up his rehabilitation from hernia surgery and targeting the team's next game, Nov. 16 at Chicago, for his return.

"That's my goal," Rudolph said after Sunday's 29-26 victory over Washington. "I've got to get myself in football shape. In my mind, I have two weeks to get ready so I'm going to do everything I can to get out there then."

Regaining the former Pro Bowler can only help Minnesota's offense and rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Surgeons on Sept. 25 re-attached Rudolph's abdominal muscles to his pelvic bone after he aggravated a nagging core injury in a Week 3 loss at New Orleans, the story said. The injury started bothering him the first week of training camp in early August. Rudolph and the training staff tried managing the initial tear to avoid surgery. Rudolph was drafted as a low-end TE1 but never really took off likely due to the injury. It will remain to be seen if he can get back to that value.

Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson said he wasn’t feeling 100 percent, dealing with a lingering left hip injury in the 17-3 loss against the Lions on Sunday.

Patterson rotated with wide receiver Charles Johnson on drives to remain fresh. It didn’t appear that Patterson needed to be attended to on the sideline with the injury, but he didn’t remain on the field throughout the game.

“I don’t feel like I’m 100 percent,” Patterson said. “I should be next week. Just keep getting treatment and keep grinding in treatment and do what it takes.”

Patterson initially injured the hip last week against the Packers, missing most of the second half in the 42-10 loss.

Patterson waived off Johnson midway through the fourth quarter on the Vikings only scoring drive – a 40-yard field goal from kicker Blair Walsh. On the 11-play, 45 yard drive, Patterson had first catch in the game and wanted to stay in with the adrenaline flowing. He finished with two catches for 15 yards on eight targets and one carry, a halfback toss, for two yards.

“I’m going to be out there,” Patterson said. “I don’t feel like I need to let my teammates down. Thursday, I sat out the whole second half. I can’t let that happen again.”

It's been a struggle for Patterson owners this year who feel like they need to keep putting him in their lineups after likely spending a pretty nice pick on him in drafts. In his defense, it was a tough matchup against a very good Lions defense that was putting the pressure on rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater. The good news is things get a little easier for Bridgewater, Patterson and the rest of the Vikes with three friendly matchups right up to the Week 10 bye.

Vikings beat writer Ben Goessling: Cordarrelle Patterson is continuing to develop as a receiver, coach Mike Zimmer said, even though he had only two catches last week and has seen his numbers lag as defenses pay more attention to him. But the Vikings could look to get Patterson involved again in the running game after giving him just one carry since Week 1. Patterson ran for a 50-yard touchdown when the Vikings last saw the Lions in December, and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said the Vikings are "going to find different ways to get [Patterson] touches."

The easiest way to get Patterson the ball is to hand it to him, which is something that the Vikings have (curiously) moved away from after Adrian Peterson left the team. We may see the Vikings revisit their Patterson strategy in Week 6, but we're in we'll-believe-it-when-we-see-it mode.

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was back at practice Tuesday after missing last Thursday's game at Green Bay because of a sprained left ankle.

Bridgewater looked crisp throwing the ball.

The rookie said after the 42-10 loss to the Packers there was "no doubt" he would be ready for Sunday's game against Detroit at TCF Bank Stadium.

It will be a tough matchup for Bridgewater who last faced the weak Atlanta defense in Week 4. Bridgewater's rushing ability and overall threat likely still make him in the QB2 range once our rankings come out Wednesday, but keep in mind the Lions rank first in allowing fantasy points to QBs.