As expected, running back Adrian Peterson (high ankle sprain) wasn't able to do much in practice and was listed as "out" by coach Leslie Frazier for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Not expected was the absence of receiver Percy Harvin.

"Percy wasn't able to practice today because of illness," Frazier said. "[Head athletic trainer Eric] Sugarman and his staff will give me an update when we get back in. But [Harvin] should be fine for Sunday."

Of course, anytime Percy and "illness" are mentioned in the same sentence, a migraine is suspected. Harvin has dealt with migraines since he was 10 years old. He's missed only three NFL games in three seasons because of them.

Frazier was asked if it's a migraine this time.

"No," he said.

Later, he was asked how he could be certain that it wasn't a migraine.

He said: "My first question, like your first question, was, `Is it a migraine?' They told me they were evaluating the situation and we'll let you know when you get back in. But everything that has been indicated to me is he's going to be fine and it's nothing like we've experienced in the past."

Harvin was not at Winter Park today.

That left the top three receivers as Devin Aromashodu (nine catches), Greg Camarillo (four) and rookie Stephen Burton (zero career catches).

Asked how it made him feel not having Harvin on the field.

"Oh, man," Frazier said. "Please, please, please. Let's not go down that road. We need no. 12 out there."

In other news:

  • The official injury report lists Peterson as out; Harvin, Kyle Rudolph (quadriceps), Asher Allen (shoulder) and E.J. Henderson (shoulder) as questionable; and Anthony Herrera (knee), Erin Henderson (hamstring), Jamarca Sanford (shoulder) and Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring) as probable.
  • Frazier said E.J. Henderson (shoulder) has a "very good chance" of playing on Sunday after practicing today for the first time this week.
  • Herrera appears ready to return from a damaged lateral collateral ligament in his left knee. Barring a setback over the weekend, Herrera is expected to start. He's missed the past four games because of the injury.
  • Kyle Rudolph, who missed last week's game because of a quadriceps injury, looked good in practice, according to Frazier, and is expected to play on Sunday.
  • Allen, who missed the last three quarters of Sunday's loss in Atlanta, will be questionable with a shoulder injury.
  • Frazier was asked about a report that said McNabb had been demoted to No. 3 quarterback. He said: "For us right now, the big thing is really focusing on the guys who are here and what we need to get done against Denver. Joe [Webb] is our No. 2 quarterback on Sunday. We got to determine if we want to add another quarterback because we do want to exploit Joe's talent not only at quarterback but some of the other things that he does. But that's really where we have to focus, on the guys who are on the roster right now."
  • Upon hearing that non-answer, a reporter followed up by saying, "So you're declining comment?" To which Frazier said, "I guess in a roundabout way, I guess I am."
  • The Vikings have a list of quarterbacks they might sign as their No. 3 guy. Until they do, Camarillo will serve as their emergency third quarterback. He got some snaps at quarterback in practice today.
  • Frazier said Peterson had made significant progress in today's workout from last Friday's workout. Peterson is running well straight ahead, but still struggling to cut on the ankle, Frazier said.