Access Vikings Morning Walkthrough: A physical Charles Johnson, and Reusse on football's demise

The NFL season opens tonight, and here's an update on handy things to know about the Vikings …

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

Wideout Charles Johnson is a bit more physical than you'd expect, at least based on appearances.

Columnist Patrick Reusse thinks the new Vikings stadium might outlast the NFL itself.

No matter who you cheer for, there's a watering hole that will give you some support.

Offensive coordinator Norv Turner still values a true fullback.

Any Vikings question you can think of was probably answered by Matt Vensel in his Live Chat on Wednesday … read the replay here.

Sid has a couple of Vikings nuggets after his classic lead on Gophers football where he laments a loss that could have been a win and paints the next opponent as virtually unbeatable.

AROUND THE NFC NORTH

How do the Packers' defensive players rank in order of importance?

Star Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy will miss the team's opener, but won't need surgery for a hip injury.

The latest on Bears wideout Alshon Jeffrey from the Chicago Tribune.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE

After Wednesday off, the Vikings will practice today at 1. Coach Mike Zimmer and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will have news conferences before that, and 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick and new coach Jim Tomsula will have a teleconference with Vikings beat writers. (The Vikings and Niners, you might have heard, play on Monday night.) Check back on the blog this afternoon for updates.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

The 49ers signed free agent wideout Torrey Smith to a five-year deal with $22 million in guaranteed money. But Kaepernick and Smith have connected only once in the preseason, for a 5-yard gain.