NFL fines Vikings' Edwards $25,000

Ray Edwards was fined $25,000 by the NFL on Friday for "two plays considered unnecessary roughness" in a 19-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, according to a league spokesman.

"In the first quarter, he leg-whipped an opponent," spokesman Randall Liu wrote in an e-mail. "In the second quarter, he unnecessarily struck the opposing quarterback late."

On the second play, the Vikings defensive end received a roughing-the-passer penalty after hitting Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia after he released the ball on an incomplete pass into the end zone. Garcia stayed on the ground for a few seconds after the hit and needed several stitches to close a cut on his chin.

Edwards was unavailable for comment Friday, but he said after the game that he thought Garcia still had the ball when he delivered the hit. Vikings coach Brad Childress said this week that he thought Garcia should have been called for intentional grounding on the play.

Edwards' fine means the Vikings defensive line has been levied $100,000 in the past three games. Defensive end Jared Allen got a $50,000 fine for two hits on Houston quarterback Matt Schaub and another $25,000 for a hit on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Cornerback Charles Gordon was in the locker room Friday after having surgery on his left ankle in North Carolina last week. Gordon suffered a broken fibula and ligament damage while being tackled on a punt return against the Packers two weeks ago.

"I've never experienced that kind of pain in my life," Gordon said. "I knew how bad it was. I never looked down at it. It just felt out of place. If I would have looked at it, I probably would have fainted. I got real hot and felt a lot of pressure. I just tried to keep my mind off the pain."

Childress said Gordon could be back to full speed in five months.

"No doubt," Gordon said. "I'll be all right."

Allen (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Jacksonville. Allen went through a light workout Friday after missing two days of practice. He is expected to play.

Safety Madieu Williams (shoulder), wide receiver Bobby Wade (thigh) and linebacker Vinny Ciurciu (hand) also are questionable.

Running back Adrian Peterson returned to practice after being rested Thursday. Peterson wore a brace-like sleeve on his right knee, but Childress did not express any concern.

"He wears it from time to time," Childress said. "Like you see guys with different things to prevent turf burns, things like that."