Henderson one of three captain picks

Steve Hutchinson, E.J. Henderson and Ryan Longwell will wear the "C."

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Last update: September 5, 2008 - 7:40 AM

While Jared Allen and Pat Williams both have the gift of gab, E.J. Henderson keeps his verbiage to a minimum. But that does not mean the Vikings middle linebacker isn't well respected among his defensive teammates in the locker room.

Henderson, 28, had that point reinforced Friday when he was named the Vikings' defensive captain for the season after a vote by players.

"It's one of the greatest achievements of my career," said Henderson, who had 4.5 sacks and a team-leading 155 tackles last season. "To be voted by your teammates at this point of my career as a captain. It's special. I'm going to take it with pride and wear [the C] with honor. Make sure I represent this defense well."

Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson and kicker Ryan Longwell were voted the offensive and special-teams captains, respectively. The NFL began encouraging teams to name season-long captains last year but the Vikings continued to pick them on a week-by-week basis.

"I thought we were ready for it and they were ready for it," coach Brad Childress said. "I won't characterize the vote in any way other than to say those guys stood out."

Henderson, Hutchinson and Longwell will wear a "C" on their jersey. The Vikings also will name an offensive, defensive and special-teams player of the week and those players also will go out for the coin toss on game day.

A full day

Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson continued to wear a brace on his right knee during Thursday's practice but he was able to participate in the entire workout and said he felt good afterward.

Jackson missed the final two preseason games after suffering a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee but has vowed to play Monday against the Packers.

"I'm not going to overcompensate for it," Jackson said. "It's to the point where I'm more and more comfortable and just know that it's OK to where I'm not going out there playing like I'm hurt."

Jackson admits he would prefer not to wear the brace in a game but said no decision has been made.

Retirement reaction

Veteran quarterback Gus Frerotte, who is in his second stint with the Vikings, served as Daunte Culpepper's backup and mentor in Minnesota in 2003 and 2004. Culpepper threw for 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns in their second season together. So what was Frerotte's reaction Thursday when he found out the 31-year-old Culpepper had decided to retire?

"That's obviously up to him if he doesn't want to be a backup anywhere," said Frerotte, 37. "You're not always going to get [a chance to start] when you've been out of the league. It's a business. I've been through every situation. It's just a matter of his personal opinion. Anything can happen in this league. You don't always have to be the starter."

Culpepper reportedly had offers from Green Bay and Pittsburgh this offseason, but both would have involved being a backup.

Hicks doesn't practice

Running back Maurice Hicks (sprained foot) did not practice Thursday and might not be ready to play Monday.

Staff Writer Chip Scoggins contributed to this notebook.