Injured say they will try to lend hand vs. Broncos

If today were Sept. 27 instead of Dec. 27, Antoine Winfield probably wouldn't have faced the questions he fielded Wednesday. Nine days after partially tearing his left pectoral muscle, Winfield was on the practice field in hopes of playing in the Vikings' regular-season finale Sunday at Denver.

A victory against the Broncos, combined with a Washington loss to Dallas, would send the Vikings to the playoffs for the first time in three years. A loss would end their season.

Wearing a harness to protect the injury, Winfield is one of several players who are hoping to play in some capacity Sunday despite ailments that might have sidelined them earlier in the season. Winfield, receiver Sidney Rice, linebacker Dontarrious Thomas (groin) and others spent much of Christmas Day in the Vikings' training room to rehabilitate their injuries.

"This is a tough one," said Winfield, who missed most of five games earlier this season because of a strained hamstring. "It's definitely a must-win for us. We want to get that chance for us to get into the postseason. But right now I'm just taking it day-to-day and I'll see how it feels at the end of the week."

With their No. 1 cornerback standing on the sideline, the Vikings gave up 261 passing yards and three aerial touchdowns in last Sunday's 32-21 loss to Washington. The Vikings also appeared to miss Rice, their second-leading receiver, who is recovering from a high right ankle sprain.

Rice joined Winfield in participating Wednesday for a limited portion of practice. Childress said he would put neither player in a vulnerable position Sunday, regardless of the stakes, and said the primary criteria will be: "Is a guy going to be able to defend himself?"

Childress added that Winfield has made "very good progress" and noted Winfield's recent comment that he can spend the entire offseason getting healthy.

"You just appreciate that push from all those guys that were laying there yesterday on Christmas Day," Childress said, "hooked up to all the different units trying to get well, trying to get to today's practice and in the long run get to Sunday's game."

The harness prevents Winfield from having full range of motion, but he joked that it wouldn't be a problem if his left arm "dangles" as long as he can still move his right one. Winfield said he is certain he won't do any long-term damage by playing, but he acknowledged he will have to feel substantially better than he did before last Sunday's game in order to be effective against the Broncos.

"I don't think I could really have hit anything," Winfield said. "It would be hard for me, playing my style of football, to go out and tackle someone."

Winfield, in fact, pointed out that his comment about healing in the offseason referred to his hamstring, not the shoulder. He sat out team drills Wednesday, running off to the side during that portion of practice, and used the words "hopefully" and "we'll see" when asked if he believes he will play against the Broncos.

While it appears this week's efforts might not be enough for Winfield, Rice could be in better position to return -- at least in a limited capacity.

When Rice was injured, doctors estimated he would at least miss the rest of the regular season. Wednesday, however, he said he participated in every portion of practice, albeit taking limited repetitions.

Rice leads the team with four touchdown receptions, and he could be in position at least to help the Vikings' red zone offense.

"It's real tough," Rice said, "not being able to be out on the field with the guys when they are out there fighting to win the ballgame. ... Hopefully, I'll be out there."

Staff Writer Judd Zulgad contributed to this report.