It's official. Kirk Cousins is starting for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

Coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed the news Friday, five days after the Vikings brought Cousins back in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders at the deadline.

Right after the deal, O'Connell had held off on naming Cousins the starter. He wanted to make sure the veteran felt comfortable with such a quick turnaround.

Two practices and no red flags

The two spent much of Wednesday morning together going over the playbook. Cousins first learned this offense when the Vikings hired O'Connell in 2022.

Cousins only got two practices with the team, on Thursday and Friday. O'Connell said that was plenty.

"I can't give him enough credit for coming in here and how he's gone about the week," O'Connell said. "It's been really impressive what he's been able to do."

"It's something we've always known about him," O'Connell added, "but the way he threw the football this week was just a really cool thing to see."

Missing some weapons

Cousins will not have all of his targets on Sunday. Tight end T.J. Hockenson is out with wrist and chest injuries from Monday night's 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Wide receiver Jordan Addison hurt his thumb in practice and is listed as questionable.

Two defensive starters are also out. Linebacker Blake Cashman has a concussion and defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins has an ankle injury.

Back where it started

Cousins left Minnesota after the 2023 season. He has since played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Raiders.

Now he gets to restart his Vikings career against one of their biggest rivals.