MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings could get a couple of veterans back on their roster in the next few weeks. The return of one in particular could be especially important.

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Center John Sullivan, who's been on short-term injured reserve since having back surgery in September, ran for the first time since the operation on Monday, and said he plans to return to practice next week, when he's first eligible to do so. Sullivan can't play until the Vikings' Nov. 8 home game against the St. Louis Rams, but sounded optimistic he'd be able to get back in the lineup that day.

"I'm certainly hoping so," he said.

Sullivan's return could provide a boost for a Vikings' offensive line that's given up 13 sacks already this season. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has often praised Sullivan for his role in setting the Vikings' pass protections, and if he's fully healthy, Sullivan might be the Vikings' most consistent blocker.

The Vikings could also soon see the return of cornerback Josh Robinson from the partially torn pectoral muscle he sustained while falling during a practice in June. Robinson has been on the physically-unable-to-perform list since training camp, and can also start practicing next week. He's eligible to return to action on Oct. 25 in Detroit.

"I think I should be good [to play]," Robinson said. "I'll let them make the decision, but I think I should be good."

Robinson didn't need surgery; "We did a lot of rest -- a lot of rest -- and a lot of rehab, too," he said. He's worked out with athletic trainer Eric Sugarman, running while wearing a GPS tracker with a heart rate monitor. "Stuff on the field, treadmill, we did it all," he said. "Mostly, we stayed out on the field, because it's more realistic movement -- simulating what you'd be doing in a game."

Once the Vikings get one or both players back, they'll have to clear space on their roster, and Robinson could find it difficult to crack a cornerback group that's been mostly staffed by Xavier Rhodes, Terence Newman and Captain Munnerlyn. But the fourth-year corner would help boost the Vikings' depth at one of the game's most important positions, and if Sullivan's back problems are behind him, he could solidify one of the Vikings' big trouble spots so far.