vikings/nfl
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
Will Vikings' Peterson play Sunday?
Posted by: Chris Miller under Injury report, Vikings, Lions, Leslie Frazier, Vikings injury report, Adrian Peterson, Leslie Frazier, Sage Rosenfels Updated: September 3, 2012 - 3:27 PM
The Vikings had a short practice Monday with a firmed-up roster of 53 and eight practice squadders, preparing for Sunday's opener against Jacksonville.
Key question for the week is whether running back Adrian Peterson will be ready after rehabbing from major surgery to his left knee nine months ago.
"He has had limited exposure in camp, so we will talk about even if it is a viable option to let him play," coach Leslie Frazier said. "We have to take the emotion out of it. We have to see the big picture."
Peterson will have a chance to go through more intense practices Wednesday and Thursday before the decision is made, but Frazier indicated if Peterson does play, he would see limited duty.
Frazier spent most of his press conference talking about putting together the roster. He said team officials mapped it out before Thursday's preseason finale at Houston, but some things "happened in that game that made us rethink some things."
Asked about the number of young players on the team, Frazier said, "we went with the guys who gave us the best chance to be successful this season."
Injury report
Cornerback Josh Robinson (concussion) was back at practice.
Offensive tackle DeMarcus Love (torn pectoral) faces surgery, Frazier said.
Three players with ankle injuries, defensive back Andrew Sendejo, cornerback Marcus Sherels and wideout Jarius Wright, also practiced and are likely to be ready for Sunday.
Linebacker Marvin Mitchell, who has a high ankle sprain, is less likely.
The new guy
Cornerback A.J. Jefferson, picked up on Friday from Arizona for a conditional 2013 draft pick, was one of the last men off the practice field. Jefferson started seven games for the Cardinals last season before "it got a little rough for me," but said he was looking forward to a new beginning.
"It should be an easy transition," he said. "Football is football. Terminology is a little different, that's about it."
Jefferson, a 24-year-old who was undrafted out of Fresno State before signing with Arizona in 2010, said cuts were due at 6 p.m. Friday in Arizona, and he said he didn't get a call about the trade until 7, "so I thought I had made the team, then it all came as a surprise."
Said Frazier: "Good coverability, and a good press guy. He can also play off the ball. Good kickoff returner."
Looking for a ride
McLeod Bethel-Thompson made the Vikings as the No. 3 quarterback when veteran Sage Rosenfels was waived on Friday.
"His command was one thing that really got our attention," Frazier said. "He has some swagger about him."
Bethel-Thompson played last season for Denny Green and the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the UFL.
"My journey was kind of a wild one," he said. "But I'm excited to get that No 3 spot."
Bethel-Thompson waited out the cuts in the team hotel Friday. When he didn't get a call, he figured he made the team ... although he also had to wait out Saturday as the team made more moves.
"No news was good news," he said.
His first move? "I got to rent a car," he joked. And, because he's not yet 25, "I have to pay that extra fee."
explore the Vikings/NFL
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| Minnesota - V. Worley | 11:10 AM |
| Atlanta - P. Maholm |
| Cincinnati - M. Latos | 12:10 PM |
| NY Mets - M. Harvey |
| Los Angeles - H. Ryu | 12:10 PM |
| Milwaukee - W. Peralta |
| Oakland - J. Parker | 1:05 PM |
| Texas - R. Wolf |
| Arizona - T. Cahill | 2:10 PM |
| Colorado - J. De La Rosa |
| Washington - G. Gonzalez | 2:45 PM |
| San Francisco - M. Bumgarner |
| Tampa Bay - J. Hellickson | 3:37 PM |
| Toronto - M. Buehrle |
| Chicago Cubs - J. Samardzija | 6:05 PM |
| Pittsburgh - F. Liriano |
| Detroit - J. Verlander | 6:05 PM |
| Cleveland - U. Jimenez |
| NY Yankees - H. Kuroda | 6:05 PM |
| Baltimore - J. Hammel |
| Seattle - B. Maurer | 6:05 PM |
| LA Angels - C. Wilson |
| Philadelphia - C. Lee | 6:10 PM |
| Miami - K. Slowey |
| Boston - C. Buchholz | 7:10 PM |
| Chicago WSox - H. Santiago |
| Kansas City - J. Shields | 7:10 PM |
| Houston - J. Lyles |
| St. Louis - T. Lyons | 9:10 PM |
| San Diego - B. Smith |
| Indiana | 7:30 PM |
| Miami |
| Pittsburgh | 6:30 PM |
| Ottawa |
- Three local firms bid on Vikings stadium parking
- Hartman: Vikings defensive line can walk after season
- VikesCentric: Moving Joe Webb to wide receiver is worth a shot
- Wiederer: Previewing Vikings' OTAs
- Hartman: Webb shifts from QB to full-time receiver for Vikings
- Column: Play ball with Goodell and NFL _ or else
- Veteran Charles Woodson returns to Raiders
- NFL calendar change could push draft into May, combine into March
| Date/Opponent | Time | W | L | Score |
| 2013 preseason | ||||
| Aug 9 - vs. Houston | 7 pm | |||
| Aug 16 - at Buffalo | 6 pm | |||
| Aug 25 - at San Francisco | 7 pm | |||
| Aug 29 - vs. Tennessee | 7 pm | |||
| 2013 regular season | ||||
| Sep 8 - at Detroit | Noon | |||
| Sep 15 - at Chicago | Noon | |||
| Sep 22 - vs. Cleveland | Noon | |||
| Sep 29 - vs. Pittsburgh (in London) | Noon | |||
| Oct 6 - Bye | ||||
| Oct 13 - vs. Carolina | Noon | |||
| Oct 21 - at. NY Giants | 7:40 pm | |||
| Oct 27 - vs. Green Bay | 7:30 pm | |||
| Nov 3 - at Dallas | Noon | |||
| Nov 7 - vs. Washington | 7:25 pm | |||
| Nov 17 - at Seattle | 3:25 pm | |||
| Nov. 24 - at Green Bay | Noon | |||
| Dec 1 - vs. Chicago | Noon | |||
| Dec 8 - at Baltimore | Noon | |||
| Dec 15 - vs. Philadelphia | Noon | |||
| Dec 22 - at Cincinnati | Noon | |||
| Dec 29 - vs. Detroit | Noon |
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