Vikings' Rice pencils himself in for Sunday

Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice said he "definitely" expects to play Sunday against the Chicago Bears after missing three of the past four games because of a knee injury.

Officially, Rice was listed as questionable on the injury report. Vikings coach Brad Childress was noncommittal on whether he would play.

"It just depends on how everything shakes out at some other positions," he said.

Rice suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Week 2 against Indianapolis. He missed one game, played sparingly against Tennessee and has been inactive the past two games.

Rice said he did not suffer a setback against Tennessee. "I just wasn't ready," he said.

The Vikings thought Rice would take a big jump in his second season, but he was hit hard by a stomach virus in the preseason and then suffered the knee injury in the second game. Rice has only three catches for 37 yards and one touchdown.

"It's a little frustrating, but injuries are part of the game," he said.

With David Herron ruled out because of a hip injury, newly signed linebackers Dontarrious Thomas and Napoleon Harris split repetitions in the middle with backup Vinny Ciurciu.

Thomas seems like a logical choice to start because he's more familiar than Harris with defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier's system, having played with the Vikings last season. Thomas, who has not played this season after getting released by the San Francisco 49ers out of training camp, also is playing on all four special-teams units.

"Man, I'm so ready to play I don't care," he said. "If I have to go all four phases and play every down, I'll do it just to get out there. It's nice to be back out there on that field."

Harris also will make his season debut after being inactive the first five games with Kansas City before being released. Harris played in the Vikings' Tampa-2 system under former defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin and said the differences are minimal.

"It's almost like a mirror image," he said. "I think the biggest thing is probably the terminology."

Safety Madieu Williams (neck) moved a step closer to making his Vikings debut when he was listed as questionable on the injury report after being doubtful last week. Williams was cleared for full contact in practice this week, but his debut might not come until the Nov. 2 game against the Houston Texans, the week after the bye.

"I think it's coming back to him a little bit," Childress said.

Safety Darren Sharper was not fined by the NFL for his vicious hit that knocked Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson out of the game last week. Sharper caused Johnson to fumble and forced him to leave the game after drilling him after a pass reception down the middle of the field.

An NFL spokesperson said Johnson had established possession and was a runner when Sharper made contact. Once a player becomes a runner he is not considered a defenseless player.

The Lions thought Johnson was on the ground when he lost control of the ball. They also were not happy with a pass interference penalty that set up the Vikings' game-winning field goal. The NFL did not fine any Lions players for complaining about the officials.

Chicago starting cornerbacks Charles Tillman (shoulder) and Nathan Vasher (wrist) are listed as questionable for Sunday. Safety Danieal Manning, who plays in the nickel defense, has a hamstring injury and is out. The only other player listed as out for Chicago is wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (knee).