Childress mum on Henderson's dislocated toes

Vikings coach Brad Childress kept E.J. Henderson listed as doubtful on the team's injury report and would neither confirm nor deny a Star Tribune report that the middle linebacker is expected to miss at least a month because of two dislocated toes on his left foot.

"I hate to conjecture on that," Childress said Saturday. "I'll probably let you know something on that next week."

Henderson, who was injured in last week's 30-17 loss at Tennessee, was not at Vikings practice Saturday. He missed the entire week of practice leading up to Monday night's game at New Orleans.

However, when asked for an update on the injuries to Henderson and wide receiver Bernard Berrian, who is questionable because of a knee injury, Childress said: "They're tentative. They're a little bit gimpy right now."

Childress didn't rule either player out before bringing up tight end Jim Kleinsasser, who is questionable because of a foot injury.

"Jimmy was able to get out here and take a couple of different snaps," Childress said. "It's just like I pointed out to the guys here. We still have 48 hours to game time. Lots of things happen in 48 hours."

Berrian, who spent weeks battling a toe injury on his right foot, now has an injured right knee. He seemed to be favoring the knee during the brief portion of practice that was open to the media.

Berrian said he hurt the knee in practice Thursday. Berrian said Saturday the knee is "all right." Asked if he felt it would affect him on Monday, he said, "I have no idea." He also said he was "optimistic" that he would be able to play.

Other players on the Vikings' injury report are: defensive end Ray Edwards (shoulder) and linebacker Vinny Ciurciu (knee) as probable; receiver Sidney Rice (knee), cornerback Benny Sapp (hamstring) and offensive tackle Drew Radovich (shoulder) as questionable, and safety Madieu Williams (neck) is out.

Childress once again praised Bryant McKinnie's conditioning level, but said he expects McKinnie and Artis Hicks will "both see time at left tackle" on Monday.

Hicks started the first four games while McKinnie served a four-game NFL-imposed suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. McKinnie returned to the team on Monday and has had only three practices.

"[McKinnie] has done a good job," Childress said. "He and Artis have split time, so I'm going to keep looking at that. I'm not sure who I'm going to start yet.

"I want to see how [McKinnie] has done after three days of practice, and soreness and that type of thing. If we feel like the wind is good, we'll go in and look at the tape to make sure he has a full understanding of the game plan."

McKinnie said it won't take him long to get back to full speed.

"This game will give me a good idea of how I'll react to game speed," he said. "It should only take a game or two to get it back."