High-energy Allen needs to take breathers

The Vikings obviously want Jared Allen on the field as much as possible, but defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said he might reduce the Pro Bowl defensive end's workload in order to keep him fresh late in the season.

Allen, who ranks second in the NFL with 10.5 sacks, rarely leaves the field and is constantly chasing after quarterbacks. In fact, Allen has been on the field for every defensive snap during the past four games, according to the website Pro Football Focus, which tracks player participation.

Frazier said he hopes to get Allen more rest during games as the season proceeds.

"As much as you want him on the field, one of the things I talked to him about actually going into the Detroit game, 'We've got to begin to pull your reps back,'" Frazier said. "The reason is, we are getting into situations where people are throwing the ball a lot in the second half of the game because of the score at times. Now all of a sudden you don't have a fresh Jared Allen. ...

"But it's on me, and we need to monitor that. As much as you don't like to take him off, as much as an offense would love to see him off the field, we've got to try and keep him fresh to a degree in that fourth quarter."

Middle linebacker E.J. Henderson was named the Vikings community man of the year for 2009. Henderson has volunteered his time with several local organizations including the United Way, Police Athletic League, Minneapolis Park and Recreation board, Arc Greater Twin Cities and the Boys and Girls clubs of the Twin Cities.

In June 2007, he donated $100,000 to establish the E.J. Henderson Youth Foundation to benefit underserved Twin Cities urban youth. The program is based at Henderson's GameSpeed Sports Academy in Eden Prairie.

"I think it's pretty special," Henderson said of the award. "I think [former Vikings center] Matt Birk always used to win it. I know the type of community work he used to do. I know he was really involved, so it's an honor to be considered one of the guys from 32 teams, especially from the Vikings because there's a lot of guys doing good things in the community. So it's good to be recognized."

Henderson is now in the running for the Walter Payton Man of the Year, presented at the Super Bowl. He received $1,000 for his youth foundation.

"E.J. is not a guy that beats his chest and says, 'Hey, look what I'm doing,'" Frazier said. "It's just very appropriate that he was named Man of the Year. He does so much for so many in the inner city of Minneapolis as well as the suburban families. Just a sharp guy that has a great desire to help others and give back to our community."

• Running back Adrian Peterson on the horse-collar tackle by Lions cornerback Phillip Buchanon last Sunday: "It's funny actually, because he is a smaller guy so I actually didn't feel him with the horse collar. That is dangerous when you have a 300-pounder or a 250-pounder that is pulling you down like that. It can cause a serious injury. I really didn't feel the little guy pulling on my collar."

• Defensive end Ray Edwards said he was not fined by the NFL for his unnecessary roughness penalty against Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford last week.

• Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield (foot) was limited in practice again Thursday. Cornerback Karl Paymah (ankle) was added to injury report and also was limited. Fred Evans returned to practice after missing Wednesday because of an illness.