Vikings' Henderson likely to be out at least a month

The Vikings could be without E.J. Henderson for an extended period.

Although the middle linebacker is listed as doubtful and not out for Monday night's game at New Orleans, people with knowledge of the situation said Henderson is expected to be out for at least a month because of two dislocated toes on his left foot. Henderson was injured in the second quarter of the Vikings' loss last Sunday at Tennessee. He was able to return to the game but eventually had to leave for good in the second half.

"It's kind of hard to tell really what is going on structurally," coach Brad Childress said Friday. "They just can't get as good of feel as they'd like to."

The exact length of Henderson's absence likely won't be determined until the swelling subsides, and surgery could be an option. Henderson was wearing a protective boot when reporters saw him Thursday at Winter Park. He did not appear during media access Friday.

Henderson's loss is a significant one for the Vikings.

After two seasons of playing outside linebacker, Henderson returned to his natural position in the middle last year and led the team with a career-high 155 tackles. He also had a career-high 4.5 sacks and 14 tackles for losses. Henderson got off to another good start this season and was leading the Vikings in tackles entering last Sunday's game with 31. He also had a sack, four tackles for loss and a forced fumble in three games.

Henderson did not start last Sunday's game after being late for a team meeting on Friday. He was replaced by David Herron for the opening series and again when he got hurt. Herron is expected to replace Henderson on Monday.

While second-year player David Herron is expected to replace Henderson, it will be outside linebacker Ben Leber who likely will wear the communication device in his helmet that will enable him to receive defensive signals from the sideline and relay them to teammates.

Because the Saints often use multiple receiver sets, the Vikings likely will spend a good portion of the game in the nickel defense. If that's the case, Leber and Chad Greenway likely will remain on the field, and Herron will be replaced by an extra defensive back. Leber spent time working at middle linebacker in the nickel package during training camp.

Berrian ailing

Wide receiver Bernard Berrian was a surprise addition to the injury report, which requires teams to make a projection on players' availability each Friday. Berrian was listed as questionable after being limited in practice. The Vikings' media availability period was finished for the day when the report came out so it was unclear exactly when Berrian injured his knee. Berrian clearly was not able to run at full speed during the individual drills in practice.

This would be the latest setback for Berrian, who was signed to a six-year, $42 million free-agent deal in March to become the team's No. 1 receiver. Berrian has been bothered by soreness in the big toe on his right foot since early in training camp and has 11 catches for 195 yards and no touchdowns in four games. He dropped two passes against the Titans.

Left tackle Bryant McKinnie received a positive review from Childress after getting through his second practice since returning from a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

"You can tell just based on his movement and his stamina that he's done a good job of taking care of the physical part that he could take care of," Childress said.

"Obviously the football part with the pads and the helmet and the push, it's hard to simulate. But he's done a very good job in terms of where his weight is and in terms of where his wind is."

One issue for McKinnie on Monday night could be the noise in the Superdome. McKinnie is going to have to avoid false-start penalties.

"I would think that being a veteran guy that he would be able to handle it," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. "Bryant hasn't been the guy, knock on wood, that flinches, that jumps offsides. He has been in just about every situation that he could possibly be in, so I expect him to handle it well."

Childress tried to prepare his team for the noise on Friday by having them practice with speakers blaring sound.

"It's extremely effective," Childress said, dismissing the fact that being outdoors lessened the impact. "You literally have to scream in the huddle."

Top draft pick Sedrick Ellis will be lost to the Saints for two to four weeks because of a right knee injury.

Ellis, the No. 7 overall selection in last April's draft, suffered a torn medial meniscus in his knee during the Saints' victory against San Francisco last Sunday and had arthroscopic surgery Friday morning.

The Saints only have three healthy defensive tackles: Kendrick Clancy, Antwan Lake and Brian Young.

New Orleans already will be without receiver Marques Colston (thumb), tight end Jeremy Shockey (abdomen), wide receiver David Patten (groin) and cornerback Aaron Glenn (ankle).

Etc.

• Tight end Jim Kleinsasser (foot) did not practice for a second consecutive day and is one of five players listed as questionable for Monday. The others are receiver Sidney Rice (knee), cornerback Benny Sapp (hamstring), offensive tackle Drew Radovich (shoulder) and Berrian. Safety Madieu Williams (neck) is out and defensive end Ray Edwards (shoulder) and linebacker Vinny Ciurciu (knee) are probable. Edwards and Ciurciu did not play last Sunday.

• Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch was not fined by the league for his hit on Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte. Vanden Bosch was assessed a roughing the passer penalty and Frerotte called the hit a "cheap shot" after the game.