Taylor still trumps Pinner's big game

Artose Pinner's 125-yard rushing performance in the Vikings' 30-20 victory Sunday in Detroit does not mean the fourth-year running back is about to see his role expanded. At least not once Chester Taylor returns from the bruised ribs he suffered Dec. 3 at Chicago.

"If Chester is in there and can give a full accounting of himself, I don't think you consciously take [carries] off of him," coach Brad Childress said Monday.

Taylor reiterated Monday that he will play Sunday against the New York Jets at the Metrodome; Childress was not as definite, saying he first wants to see how Taylor looks in practice Wednesday.

Pinner realizes his time as a starter will be short-lived and was happy to be back on the field after being inactive for three games. "Chester is the guy here. No doubt," said Pinner, who rushed 29 times against the Lions and had three touchdowns. "He has been doing a great job all year long. But if there comes an opportunity where Chester needs a few more breathers and they feel a lot more confident in putting me in or Ciatrick [Fason] in or any of those guys, we are ready for the opportunity."

Best-case scenario

When Childress threw the challenge flag in the third quarter of Sunday's game at Detroit, it was because he believed officials had erred by ruling Lions receiver Mike Furrey had caught a 4-yard pass on a third-and-2 play from the Vikings 42-yard line.

Furrey had lost the ball at the end of the play and linebacker E.J. Henderson recovered but Childress wasn't contesting that. After a long review, referee Bill Carollo upheld the call that Furrey had possession.

Then things got interesting.

Carollo said the replay also showed Furrey had fumbled the ball before he was down and that the Vikings would be awarded possession at the spot of the miscue. In other words, Childress hadn't got the ruling he was looking for but he got one better. "When they came up with that explanation, I was kind of [saying], 'We're sure not turning it back,' " Childress said.

The Vikings benefitted from two things in this case. 1) Officials have the ability to change a part of the call that had not been challenged because when a review is called for the whole scope of the play is looked at; 2) it is a new rule this season that a down-by-contact call can be reviewed by instant replay.

Charges expected

Minnetonka City Attorney Desyl Peterson said her office has received a police report and "is in the process of preparing criminal charges" against Vikings defensive backs coach Joe Woods, who was arrested Friday night on suspicion of drunken driving. Charges are expected to be filed this week. Childress, who was informed of Woods' arrest on Sunday morning, said he has talked to Woods about the incident. Asked if Woods would face any discipline from the team, Childress said, "that's between Joe and I."

Etc.

• Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers is a candidate for the offensive coordinator position at the University of Miami under new coach Randy Shannon, according to the Miami Herald.

• Cornerback Cedric Griffin experienced back spasms before Sunday's game, Childress said. Nonetheless, Griffin played the entire game and finished with an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three passes defensed.

• Middle linebacker Napoleon Harris said he likely will have to play the rest of the season with a cast on his left arm to protect a dislocated wrist.

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com