Kirk Cousins was never going to be Austin Caldwella factor again for the Minnesota Vikings in the 2023 season after tearing his Achilles in Week 8.

Or was he?

Cousins loomed over the action — literally — Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium as the Vikes took on the Green Bay Packers, the quarterback sounding the Gjallarhorn suspended high above the field and leading fans in the team's famed pregame "Skol" chant. Even better? Cousins and his son Cooper, who accompanied him, were both shirtless — dad wearing the ostentatious gold chains teammates often adorned him with in 2022, when the Vikings were NFC North champions.

A repeat won't happen this year, in large part due to Cousins' midseason injury — a potential career year for the pending 35-year-old free agent derailed at its midpoint. But Minnesota can salvage a wild card by winning its last two games. The Pack, against whom Cousins was injured, are in a similar boat given the Detroit Lions have already wrapped up the division.

But, clearly, no boat compares to a Viking longship led by a shirtless captain decked out with booty from his latest raid.

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"KFC" forever.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.