Rookie will play it safe, wear brace vs. Chicago

In his first game wearing a brace on his right knee, Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns. In the second game, he managed only 3 yards while contending with an exotic San Francisco defense as well as persistent discomfort with the brace.

Peterson said Friday that he spent part of the 49ers game adjusting the brace -- "I was just trying to get more comfortable" -- but plans to wear it at least through Monday night's game against Chicago.

"Better safe than sorry," he said.

The Vikings fitted Peterson for the device after he tore the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee Nov. 11 against Green Bay. Such braces provide stability and protection, but not many skill players in the NFL like wearing them, because they can constrict movement.

Against the 49ers Sunday, Peterson was seen adjusting the brace while sitting on the bench at the start of the Vikings' first offensive series; veteran Chester Taylor got the start. Later in the second quarter, Peterson took himself out of the game and again adjusted the brace.

The Vikings, however, have attributed his low production in the game to poor adjustments to the 49ers' decision to blitz cornerbacks. Coach Brad Childress has said the knee was not reinjured, and Peterson said Thursday the brace is not an issue.

"It's week by week, but it's not hurting really by having it on," he said.

Receiver Bobby Wade sat out of practice Friday because of mild swelling in his knee, which he first injured Oct. 28 against Philadelphia. The Vikings listed him as questionable on their injury report, but Wade said: "It's not anything that's going to keep me out of this game."

In other injury news, the Vikings listed safety Mike Doss (hamstring), cornerback Charles Gordon (quadriceps) and offensive lineman Artis Hicks (back) as questionable. Safety Tank Williams (knee) did not practice and is doubtful.

In Chicago, the Bears listed cornerback Nathan Vasher, along with defensive tackles Tommie Harris and Darwin Walker, as questionable.

• The Vikings are considering a wardrobe change for Monday: their alternative purple pants. They have worn them twice, with white jerseys, since their reincarnation last season. League rules also allow them to wear the pants with purple jerseys.

• The NFL fined cornerback Antoine Winfield $10,000 for a uniform violation in San Francisco. He wore athletic tape over the purple portion of his socks and his black shoes, saying later that he knew he'd get fined. "If you look good, you play good," he said.

Staff writer Judd Zulgad contributed to this notebook.