Nagging hamstring injury could keep Winfield from playing against Giants

The Vikings could be without cornerback Antoine Winfield for the third time in four games Sunday when they play the New York Giants.

The veteran sat out a second consecutive day of practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the second half of the Vikings' victory over Oakland last weekend. Winfield originally was injured Oct. 28 against Philadelphia and missed the next two games. He tried to return against the Raiders but was shut down after the first two quarters. Coach Brad Childress said Monday that Winfield had not suffered a setback, but it's clear the injury isn't progressing as well as had been hoped.

Winfield's projected status for the Giants game will be made official today when the Vikings issue an injury report following practice. If Winfield can't go, rookie Marcus McCauley would be in line to start at left corner for a pass defense that ranks last in the NFL.

Before this season, Winfield had not missed a game since late in 2004, when he sat out twice because of a sprained ankle.

While Winfield rested Thursday, rookie running back Adrian Peterson again was able to do limited work as he attempts to return from the slightly torn lateral collateral ligament he suffered in his right knee on Nov. 11 at Green Bay. Although Childress would not dismiss Peterson's possible return Sunday, it's more likely the 1,000-yard rusher will be back Dec. 2 against Detroit.

The other two Vikings listed on the injury report -- fullback Tony Richardson (MCL sprain) and special-teams player Eric Frampton (groin) -- both did limited work on Thursday. Richardson had been held out a day earlier.

A Giant problem

The Giants appear likely to start No. 3 running back Reuben Droughns against the Vikings' top-ranked rushing defense. Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward, the Giants' top two options, are nursing injuries.

Jacobs (hamstring) did not practice for a second consecutive day Thursday, and Ward (ankle/groin) has been limited this week. That means rookie Ahmad Bradshaw also could see time.

New York acquired Droughns from Cleveland in March, but he has seen limited playing time, rushing for 176 yards on 52 carries with four touchdowns. He has been used primarily in goal-line and short-yardage situations.

Jacobs, who was injured last Sunday against Detroit, leads New York with 599 yards rushing on 115 carries and two touchdowns. Ward has 448 yards on 101 attempts and two scores. He has missed the past three games.

Etc.

• The Vikings held Thanksgiving Day practice in the morning.

• NBC and the NFL had talked of moving the Vikings-Lions game on Dec. 2 into the Sunday prime-time window under the flexible scheduling plan, but the decision was made this week to stick with the Cincinnati-Pittsburgh matchup.

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com