Missed practice unlikely to stop Allen

By JUDD ZULGAD and CHIP SCOGGINSStar Tribune staff writers

Last update: December 11, 2008 - 11:51 PM

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VIKINGS NOTES

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Defensive end Jared Allen admitted Thursday that his injured left knee remains sore but expressed optimism he will be able to play Sunday in Arizona.

But if Allen is going to play, he again will have to do it without much practice time. He sat out a second consecutive practice Thursday. The Vikings will be obligated to list him as either out, doubtful (25 percent chance of playing), questionable (50 percent) or probable (virtual certainty) on their injury report today.

Those listings can be a bit misleading when it comes to one of the NFL's top pass rushers. Allen, who leads the Vikings with 12.5 sacks, suffered a severe sprain of the AC joint in his right shoulder on Nov. 2 against Houston.

He did not practice the following Wednesday or Thursday and was listed as doubtful. Allen not only played in the Vikings' 28-27 victory over the Packers on Nov. 9, but he recorded a sack. Allen also did not practice on the Wednesday or Thursday before the Vikings' 30-12 victory at Jacksonville but played and had two tackles for a loss and a quarterback hurry.

Allen likely will test the knee today because Fridays feature very little contact. As for exactly what's wrong with Allen's knee, that remains a mystery to most. He and coach Brad Childress have both declined to specify what type of damage Allen suffered last Sunday when he took a questionable hit from Detroit tackle Gosder Cherilus.

A lesson in cheap shots

Running Adrian Peterson elaborated on his claim that an unidentified Tampa Bay Buccaneers player purposely tried to hurt him in their Nov. 16 game. Peterson said the player went at his knee when he was stood up at the end of a run.

"The guy just came out of nowhere and intentionally went for my leg," he said. "I watched it over and over again. He tried to take me out. It was by the grace of God that my foot wasn't stuck in the grass and was able to give. I looked at that play and really started thinking that, hey, whether you believe it or not, guys are out there trying to take you out. So you have to be smarter and protect yourself."

Peterson said he didn't realize it was a cheap shot until he watched it on film after several Vikings coaches called it to his attention. "I watched the film and seen a guy come out of nowhere and dive straight for my knee," Peterson said. "He got up flexing like, 'Hey, I got him' or whatever it was. I don't know if the NFL took any action. Hopefully it won't happen again."

Peterson was coy when asked to identify the player. He said he can't remember the player's name but that his number "was in the 50s."

Etc.

• Allen confirmed an ESPN report that he has spent time this season working with Bob Karmelowicz, his one-time defensive line coach with the Kansas City Chiefs. "He helps me with my body mechanics," Allen said. "He's a great coach, and it's always good sometimes to get an outside point of view."

• Peterson finished sixth among NFL players and second among running backs in fan balloting for the Pro Bowl. Peterson received 666,442 votes, putting him 101,375 votes behind Washington running back Clinton Portis, who placed fourth. The teams will be announced Tuesday.

• Defensive end Brian Robison took part in practice Thursday for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Dec. 2. Robison, injured in the Vikings' victory over the Bears on Nov. 30, was able to do limited work. ... Right tackle Artis Hicks (elbow) and kick returner Darius Reynaud (toe) did not practice.