Vikings weigh options if James can't return

The Vikings are mulling their options for oft-injured defensive end Erasmus James, who might not play again this season because of recurring left knee problems.

The exact condition of James' knee was unknown Thursday, but he missed a second consecutive day of practice and almost certainly won't play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. In a sign they are concerned about depth at the position, the Vikings signed defensive end Otis Grigsby off the Carolina Panthers' practice squad.

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said "we're still trying to get information about where [James] is going to be and what is going to happen." Coach Brad Childress said he expected to have more information about James' status today.

The 18th overall pick in the 2005 draft, James tore the anterior cruciate ligament and sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee during the second game of the 2006 season. He missed the remaining 14 games and then sat out six of the first seven games this season.

He worked his way into the starting lineup last Sunday against Detroit, but Childress said James "banged" the knee during that game. He was wearing a wrap around the knee while watching practice Wednesday.

Tailback Adrian Peterson is 612 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson's NFL rookie rushing record for a season (1,808 yards, set in 1983). Setting that mark would mean gaining an average of 153 yards per game for the rest of the season, but Peterson told San Francisco-area reporters that "I would be lying if I said I haven't done the calculations."

But, Peterson added, "That's not my main focus. When I go out and play, I'm not going to be saying I need a hundred such and such yards to get this record. I'm just going to do what I have been doing: Go out and practice hard during the week, let it show on Sundays and let it happen."

Peterson has long been known as "All Day," the nickname his father gave him. But he said he's heard a few variations lately.

"I heard some talk of All Day and Night," Peterson said.

• Linebacker E.J. Henderson missed his second consecutive day of practice because of a flu-like illness. Childress said he was not concerned about Henderson's availability for Sunday's game.

• Offensive lineman Artis Hicks twisted his back on the final play of practice and was suffering from spasms.

• Receiver Robert Ferguson returned after missing practice Wednesday for personal reasons.

• The agent for defensive end Ray Edwards said his client tested positive for steroids in February. Agent Doug Hendrickson said Edwards took a workout supplement that had banned ingredients. The NFL suspended Edwards for four games Wednesday.

• With Trent Dilfer starting in place of the injured Alex Smith, the 49ers' backup quarterback Sunday will be Shaun Hill. From 2002-04, Hill was the Vikings' No. 3 quarterback.