Stand-ins on defensive line get the job done

SAN FRANCISCO - A week ago rookie Brian Robison played only 10 snaps against Detroit. Jayme Mitchell was just thankful to be on the active roster. And Otis Grigsby, a member of the Carolina practice squad, watched from the sideline as the Panthers beat San Francisco.

On Sunday, all were asked to contribute to the Vikings' shorthanded defensive line in a 27-7 victory over the 49ers at Monster Park.

With Ray Edwards having been suspended for the final four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's steroid policy and Erasmus James out because of a knee injury, the Vikings had no choice but to make the best of the situation with what they had at right end.

It worked out pretty well with Robison, a fourth-round pick out of Texas, getting the second start of his career and the first since the Vikings' loss at Detroit in Week 2. Starting left end Kenechi Udeze moved to the right side when Mitchell entered the game and coach Brad Childress said tackles Spencer Johnson and Kevin Williams also made contributions in limited work at the end spots. "I thought we got significant stats from all of them," Childress said.

Robison, second to Edwards on the Vikings with 4.5 sacks this season, did not get to the quarterback but he did have five tackles. Mitchell and Grigsby combined for three tackles and Grigsby also had a sack, two quarterback hurries and forced a fumble.

"He's a million-mile-an-hour guy," Childress said of Grigsby. "He had his nose in the book in here studying for the game. He'll be in there trying to suck it up, look at it and learn. He's bright-eyed. He's with you all the way."

What's impressive is that Grigsby did not join the Vikings until midweek when he was signed away from the Panthers. "I never expected that when I woke up that morning on Wednesday," he said. "I actually was getting taped up for practice in Carolina and got a phone call and it was like, 'Let's make a move.' The guys here have been really great and really helped."

Grigsby estimated he got about 20 snaps Sunday on the right side, although he played left end with the Panthers. He got a few extra plays in the third quarter after Robison was forced to leave the game for a brief period. Robison landed awkwardly on his lower back after being flipped into the air.

Robison said afterward it was a bruise and that he would be fine. "As soon as I realized nothing serious was wrong I knew I had to get it warmed up, get back in the game and that's just what I did," Robison said.

The motivation of being the starter at right end probably helped ease the pain, too. "This is an opportunity that I plan on taking advantage of," he said. "Hopefully, we'll get those other guys back but it is an opportunity I'm proud to have right now and just want to keep it going."