Low rushing totals no worry just yet

Adrian Peterson has not rushed for more than 80 yards in the past three games and is coming off the third-lowest rushing total in his 19-game NFL career, but the Vikings star said he is not worried about the team's running game.

The Saints used a familiar game plan by committing extra defenders to neutralize Peterson and the Vikings running game Monday. New Orleans held Peterson to 32 rushing yards on 21 carries, and his 1.52 yards-per-carry average was the lowest for an NFL player with at least 20 carries in six seasons, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Peterson admitted frustration going against a stacked New Orleans defense but said he was happy to see the offense connect on a few deep passes in the Vikings' 30-27 victory.

"Guys want to stack the box to stop the run game -- we need players outside that can make plays," he said. "Those guys did a great job of doing that."

Bernard Berrian finished with a career-high 110 receiving yards, including a 33-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. He also drew a 42-yard pass interference penalty that set up Ryan Longwell's winning 30-yard field goal.

"If they continue to want to focus on the run, then we'll continue to move the ball passing," Peterson said. "Eventually, they will bring a guy or two [out of the box] if we continue to improve on our pass game and make big plays. Until then, as long as we get the same result -- coming out with a win -- either running the ball or receivers making big plays, that will work for me."

Those big pass plays got the Lions' attention as they prepared to visit the Metrodome this weekend.

"[The Saints] gave up some shots down the field, and that's kind of the risk that you run," Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry said. "You get a bunch of people up in the box to stop the run, to stop Chester [Taylor], to stop Adrian, and you're a little bit vulnerable in the pass. So it's a constant game of cat-and-mouse, but we've got to find a happy medium and be able to play the run and the pass."

Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson did not practice again Thursday after suffering a concussion Monday. Contrary to reports, he said he didn't suffer his concussion on that nasty hit he took from Jo-Lonn Dunbar while chasing Reggie Bush on a punt return.

"It was way before that," Henderson said. "It was actually like in the first quarter on one of the kickoffs. I ran down in the wedge and kind of got messed up on that. That play [with Dunbar] didn't help anything at all, but I'll be fine."

Henderson said he told the medical staff during the game that he felt fine. He said this is his first concussion, which he first thought was only a bad headache. He didn't mention his symptoms to the athletic trainers until Wednesday.

"They were pretty upset about that," he said.

Jon Kitna's 36-game starting streak as quarterback of the Detroit Lions is in jeopardy.

Kitna missed practice again in Allen Park, Mich., on Thursday because of an injured back, leaving Dan Orlovsky and Drew Stanton to split snaps.

Lions offensive coordinator Jim Colletto said the team might not know whether Kitna can play against the Vikings on Sunday until pregame workouts.

Orlovsky replaced Kitna during the third quarter of a 34-7 loss to Chicago on Sunday, the first playing time of his four-year career.

Etc.

• The Vikings sold their remaining tickets for Sunday's game, meaning it will be televised locally on KMSP (Ch. 9). Also, the Lions returned 400 tickets, which were made available to the public.

• Henderson and Berrian (knee) were the only Vikings players who did not practice. Coach Brad Childress said he wanted to give Berrian's legs a rest.

• With rivals Oklahoma and Texas meeting Saturday, ex-Sooners star Peterson has bets with several teammates who played at Texas. He and cornerback Cedric Griffin have a bet in which the loser must wear the other team's colors every day next week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.