The Vikings gave up an undisclosed draft pick in 2009 to get Holcomb, who will compete with Brooks Bollinger for the backup job.

"Kelly has been calling these same plays," said Childress, who brought a similar system to Minnesota when he left the Eagles before last season. "I think it's really important that you have the right mix of people in the quarterback room and that everybody understands what their role is.

SAMUEL RETURNS TO PATRIOTS: Cornerback Asante Samuel returned to the New England Patriots on Monday, moving closer to ending a contract dispute that had cost him a month of the preseason.

Samuel, who tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions last season, was at Gillette Stadium taking a physical on Monday, coach Bill Belichick said. But he did not practice, and Belichick said it was too soon to know if the fifth-year veteran would play in Thursday's preseason finale against the New York Giants. The Patriots open the regular season Sept. 9 against the New York Jets.

"We'll take it day by day, like anything else," Belichick said.

PORTER BACK AT PRACTICE: Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter returned to practice Monday, less than three weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, and he was optimistic he'll play in the season-opener Sept. 9 at Washington.

"I didn't do too much. I just ran around a little bit and tested it out," said Porter, who was limited in drills. "I'm ahead of schedule. I've set myself up to be in a good situation come the season opener."

Porter ran last week and said he has had little swelling in his right knee. Coach Cam Cameron described Porter's status as day to day.

"You've got to see how the guy feels tomorrow," Cameron said. "But I would think we can all figure out it's pretty encouraging that he was out there practicing."

BILLS' THOMAS HURTS FINGER: Bills backup cornerback Kiwaukee Thomas is expected to play in Buffalo's preseason finale after dislocating a finger on his left hand Monday.

The Bills sent Thomas to a local hospital for tests to determine the extent of the injury before having the finger set back in place, coach Dick Jauron said. Thomas returned in time for the end of practice, which he watched from the sideline with his left hand heavily wrapped.

Buffalo (1-2) will play at Detroit on Thursday without starting cornerback Terrence McGee, who is recovering from a concussion he sustained in a 28-17 loss to Tennessee on Friday. Jauron expects McGee to be ready for the Bills season opener against Denver on Sept. 9.