Vikings-Colts game on Nov. 3 at U.S. Bank Stadium flexed to ‘Sunday Night Football’

The Vikings’ early-season success has made them more attractive for nationally televised games.

On Monday, their Week 9 game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 3 at U.S. Bank Stadium was moved from a noon start to the 7:25 p.m. “Sunday Night Football” game on NBC.

That takes the place of the previously planned Jacksonville-Philadelphia game, which moves to 3 p.m. that day.

The Vikings didn’t have a “Sunday Night Football” game on the original schedule. After changing quarterbacks and retooling the defense in the offseason, NFL schedule makers followed the lead of oddsmakers and expected the Vikings to be unworthy of prime-time television.

Now they’ll have back-to-back night kickoffs following a 5-1 start.

The Vikings’ game Thursday night at Los Angeles is on Prime Video; the only other national TV appearance on their original schedule was Monday, Dec. 16, against Chicago at U.S. Bank Stadium.

This is one of the two “Sunday Night Football” moves the NFL is allowed to make between Weeks 5-10. Starting in Week 11, the league can flex games into Sunday nights whenever they want or “at the NFL’s discretion.”

Tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) and guard Dalton Risner (back) could return during Thursday night’s game against the Rams. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said their returns are “very much a possibility,” but that will be determined over the next couple days. Hockenson was listed as limited on Monday, when the team filed an injury report but did not hold an official practice. Coaches estimated Risner as capable of fully practicing.

O’Connell was not as optimistic about linebacker Blake Cashman, who was listed as a non-participant on Monday. Cashman did not play in Sunday’s loss to the Lions due to turf toe suffered Oct. 6 against the Jets.

“If we can have him, great,” O’Connell said. “If not, I do feel very positive about the Colts game [on Nov. 3].”

Five other players were listed as limited: running back Aaron Jones (hamstring), defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (shoulder), edge rusher Patrick Jones II (shoulder), tight end Josh Oliver (wrist), and cornerback Akayleb Evans (hip).

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) was listed as a full participant. Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters that Kupp is expected to play against the Vikings.

Receiver Trishton Jackson and linebacker Calvin Munson signed to the Vikings practice squad on Monday, the team announced. Jackson, the former Rams receiver, was released from the active roster last week to make room for tight end Robert Tonyan.

Munson, a 29-year-old journeyman, previously played for defensive coordinator Brian Flores in Miami. Tight end N’Keal Harry was waived to make room.