Vikings dock Williamson a week's pay for extended absence

The Vikings have let Troy Williamson know they clearly were not on board with his decision to return home last week to tend to family issues. The wide receiver, who missed three practices as well as Sunday's game against San Diego, has been informed he will not be paid for the week.

Williamson returned to the team Wednesday, but it's unclear if he will play Sunday at Green Bay.

Players are paid on a 17-week basis, 16 games plus the bye, meaning Williamson stands to lose $25,588.24 of his $435,000 base salary. He has 45 days to appeal the Vikings' decision through the NFL Players Association, and that's expected to happen.

"It's really kind of out of my realm," coach Brad Childress said of the decision. "It's a business principle, organizationally. ... If you don't show up, how does that work? ... We talked about that today."

Williamson informed the Vikings he was leaving Oct. 29 after his maternal grandmother, Celestine Williamson, died in Aiken, S.C. Troy Williamson helped to coordinate funeral plans and paid for several of his relatives to fly home for the funeral this past Monday.

Williamson also has been dealing with the fact his older brother, Carlton, has been in and out of a coma in an Augusta, Ga., hospital since being involved in an automobile accident in September.

"I know it's a business and I know [the Vikings have] got other obligations when it comes to them and their family also," Williamson said Wednesday. "I know how I feel towards mine. ... I feel like I wouldn't have been overdoing it if I had stayed home a little longer, but you've got other people and their opinions."

Childress said "it's not a matter of being excused" when asked if Williamson's absence was something on which the team signed off. Childress also brought up the fact that Vikings nose tackle Pat Williams didn't miss a game after his father died late in the 2005 season, and that Indianapolis receiver Reggie Wayne returned to play following the death of his brother in late September 2006.

"He had a family obligation that he had to see to," Childress said of Williamson. "We sat down and talked on Monday before he left. He had to do what he had to do. Everybody handles that differently. ... He had to do what his family situation called for."

Childress would not commit to Williamson being in uniform against the Packers, but that might be necessary because receiver Sidney Rice (hamstring) missed practice Thursday. Rice had been limited a day earlier.

But Williamson has found himself as a surprise inactive before. Last season he was punched in the face at a nightclub while at an event hosted by teammate Darren Sharper. The team said it would take no action against Williamson, but he ended up being inactive for the Vikings' next game, their Dec. 4 contest at Chicago.

Winfield's status unclear

Cornerback Antoine Winfield (hamstring), who sat out Sunday against San Diego, was very limited for a second consecutive day of practice. Winfield said today's session will be key for him. "I'll get out there, try to do some things," he said. "If it feels OK, I'll go. If not, probably not. I'll know definitely tomorrow whether I'll play or not."

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier also made it clear the Vikings will be cautious with Winfield, meaning rookie Marcus McCauley could again start at left cornerback. "You have got to be careful, especially at his position, where you have to sprint every single down," Frazier said.

Other injuries

• Tarvaris Jackson (concussion) was limited in practice for a second consecutive day, but Childress said there is a "possibility" the quarterback will be able to start. Jackson and Brooks Bollinger have been splitting snaps in practice this week.

• Defensive end Ray Edwards (foot) was added to the injury report Thursday and was limited in practice.

• Left tackle Bryant McKinnie (left knee) participated in a portion of practice after sitting out a day earlier.

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com