vikings/nfl
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
Peterson decision still to come; third CB may be a rotation
Posted by: Mark Craig under Injury report, Vikings, NFC, Leslie Frazier, Adrian Peterson, Antoine Winfield, Leslie Frazier, Percy Harvin Updated: September 7, 2012 - 2:16 PM
Now, it appears to be back to a game-time decision on whether Adrian Peterson will play on Sunday.
"There's no reason to make a decision before Sunday," Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said after today's practice. "We're going to talk with him again tomorrow to see how he feels."
Until Thursday, Frazier had been saying it would be a game-time decision. But Thursday came and he said the team would know Friday night or Saturday whether Peterson will play.
Frazier might be sending mixed messages. More likely, it's just a case of semantics. Reporters desperately wanting to know the precise nanosecond the team will release the puffs of smoke from the Winter Park tower to signal yea or nay on AD's status. And Frazier living in the real world where it really doesn't matter if the decision is made Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday night or Sunday morning, so long as kickoff remains noon on Sunday. Also, some would consider "knowing" what you're going to do and announcing your final "decision" to be two different things.
The Vikings have a plan for either scenario, so it's not like they won't know what to do if the decision is made Sunday morning.
Frazier's best comment today on the situation might have been, "But we'll definitely have an answer on Sunday, one way or the other."
Frazier also said Peterson feels fine after tougher practices on Wednesday and Thursday. Today was a short, light and unpadded practice day. But the Vikings still want to talk to Peterson tomorrow to see if there are any changes.
For the record, Peterson was listed as "questionable" on today's injury report.
Frazier also said ...
- LB Marvin Mitchell, S Andrew Sendejo and WR Jarius Wright aren't expected to play because of ankle injuries.
- Marcus Sherels, who was slowed by an ankle injury, is back to full strength and will be the No. 1 punt returner and back up Percy Harvin on kickoffs.
- CB A.J. Jefferson and OT Mark Asper, who were acquired last Friday, aren't expected to play on Sunday because they "have too much ground to make up." Jefferson was picked up in a trade with Arizona, while Asper was claimed off waivers from Buffalo.
- The third cornerback on Sunday could be a rotation of Brandon Burton and rookie Josh Robinson. Robinson, the favorite to win the job, is back from a concussion but hasn't secured it. Frazier said the coaches will talk more about the No. 3 cornerback role tonight. The No. 3 corner will come in on passing situations and play on the outside while Antoine Winfield slides inside over the slot.
- OLB Erin Henderson will call the defensive plays. He'll wear the helmet that allows him to communicate in the huddle with defensive coordinator Alan Williams.
- Also from today's injury report, listed as probable were S Robert Blanton, TE John Carlson, G Geoff Schwartz, PR Marcus Sherels and NT Letroy Guion.
- From the Jaguars' injury report, LB Daryl Smith, a starter and team leader, is out (abdomen). Also out are DE Austen Lane and DE George Selvie.
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