Childress remains hopeful about Williams

A day after Pro Bowl defensive tackle Pat Williams said he's confident he will return for Sunday's playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Vikings coach Brad Childress didn't rule out that possibility.

Williams missed the final two regular-season games after suffering a broken right shoulder blade against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 14. The initial timetable for his return was two to six weeks.

"Pat Williams is going to try and make the push for this weekend," Childress said. "I don't know anything about it. We will just have to see what his functional strength is like as he gets out there [in practice] and goes through the week."

Williams said Sunday after the Vikings' 20-19 victory against the New York Giants that he's optimistic he will be able to play. He said the pain is no longer an issue, and he's trying to regain the strength in his shoulder.

"I just have to get it back strong," he said. "I can move it. It's coming back."

Childress did not have an update on defensive end Ray Edwards, who had an MRI on his left knee on Monday, but indications were he could miss a week. Edwards did not play in the second half after injuring his knee while tackling Giants running back Derrick Ward.

The NFL Network reported that Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will interview for the Detroit Lions' head coaching position. The Lions fired Rod Marinelli on Monday after an 0-16 season.

According to the Associated Press, the Lions have received permission to interview New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The NFL Network also reported that Detroit plans to interview Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Washington Redskins secondary coach Jerry Gray.

Frazier received a strong endorsement Monday from his former boss, Eagles coach Andy Reid. Frazier began his NFL coaching career on Reid's staff in Philadelphia as the defensive backs coach from 1999 to 2002.

"He deserves a head coaching shot and if he got one, an owner is going to get a very solid, solid person and good football coach," Reid said.

Frazier said earlier this season that his goal is to become an NFL head coach. He interviewed for the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons coaching jobs last offseason. Frazier can't interview with another team this week, but if the Vikings defeat the Eagles he could be interviewed by Lions officials in Minneapolis next week. Frazier also could be a candidate to be interviewed for the St. Louis Rams head coaching job.

The Eagles finished the regular season ranked No. 22 in the NFL in rushing, but the Vikings know they will have a difficult time containing versatile running back Brian Westbrook.

In 14 games, Westbrook rushed for 936 yards and nine touchdowns. He also caught 54 passes for 402 yards and five touchdowns. His 54 receptions would lead the Vikings.

"In my opinion he's the best running back in the NFL," linebacker Chad Greenway said. "Obviously what we have here [in Adrian Peterson] is pretty special. But as far as getting out of the backfield and catching the football, [Westbrook] can really act as a receiver. Obviously he's good running the football as well. He's very dynamic with what he can do. The thing that makes him tough is the multiple things they can do with him."

Staff writer Judd Zulgad contributed to this report.