The Vikings played host to free agent cornerback **Asante Samuel Jr.** on a visit to TCO Performance Center that began Thursday evening and continued Friday.
Samuel, the 2021 second-round pick by the Chargers, has reportedly been medically cleared to play again after undergoing spinal fusion surgery in April. But the many teams interested in Samuel, including the Vikings, will want their medical professionals to evaluate his recovery before signing him.
“I’ve always liked Asante and I know he’s taking a lot of visits,” coach **Kevin O’Connell** said Friday. “I think he wants to make sure everybody totally understands where he’s at health-wise and I know he wants to play football. ... Our personnel guys are doing the best they can to always evaluate anything that would be a good move.”
The Vikings are among six teams, including the Packers, Panthers, 49ers, Bears and Steelers, to schedule a visit with Samuel, who reportedly has meetings in San Francisco, Chicago and Pittsburgh next week.
Samuel, 26, is the son of former All-Pro cornerback **Asante Samuel**, who played 11 seasons for the Patriots, Eagles and Falcons.
The Vikings need cornerback help while **Jeff Okudah**, the No. 3 option who played 93 snaps over six games, recovers in the concussion protocol for the second time this season. Okudah was pulled from the Oct. 23 road loss to the Chargers after 11 snaps. He initially suffered a concussion in the season-opening victory in Chicago.
Okudah and tight end **Josh Oliver** (foot) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Ravens.
“We handle this with a certain level of care,” O’Connell said of Okudah. “With this one, we want to be extra cautious. He is still in a place where he is not symptom-free.”