Facebook Twitter Mobile alerts

Judd Zulgad has been on the NFL beat since the 2003 season, when he began a (gasp) two-year stint covering the Green Bay Packers for the Star Tribune. Zulgad has covered the Vikings since 2005 and is as shocked as anyone that he is again following the daily exploits of Brett Favre.

Chip Scoggins knew his second season covering the Vikings would be eventful when he saw the news helicopter tracking Brett Favre to Winter Park and a guy dressed in a full parrot costume standing outside.

Find Judd on Facebook.

Find Chip on Facebook.

On the homepage

Home | Sports | Access Vikings | Access Vikings Blogs | Access Vikings |Access Vikings Archive

Henderson calls himself questionable

Last update: September 25, 2009 - 3:16 PM

    
Share

Vikings middle linebacker E.J. Henderson was listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers after today's practice.

Henderson was held out of practice Wednesday and did limited work Thursday after bruising his shoulder last Sunday against the Lions. Henderson said he suffered the injury in the fourth quarter when tackling Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew in the open field.

Henderson suffered a season-ending injury to his foot in the fourth game of last season. Asked how tough it would be to miss this game, Henderson said: "It would be frustrating but it's a long season. I'd rather be there for the end then the beginning."

If Henderson is unable to play it's expected that rookie Jasper Brinkley would get the start at middle linebacker. Brinkley said Thursday that he has grown comfortable in the Vikings system.

As for wide receiver Percy Harvin, he was at Winter Park today but did not take part in practice for a second consecutive day because of an illness. He was listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

Coach Brad Childress said Harvin is still ill but expressed confidence that the rookie could play if he's OK. "I think we could get him up to speed," Childress said. "Just see how he's feeling. That's what more than drives anything."

With the flu spreading around, and concerns about the H1N1 virus, Childress said the team is doing everything the team doctors have told them to do to limit the spread of germs. "[We're] washing our hands religiously," he said.

Meanwhile, running back Adrian Peterson, who was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, took part in all of Friday's practice and is probable for the game.

As for the presence of kicker Taylor Mehlhaff, the decision to have him at practice on Friday was very similar to what the Vikings did a few weeks ago when they brought in left-footed punter Glenn Pakulak before they faced Dave Zastudil in Week 1 at Cleveland. The 49ers' Joe Nedney is a left-footed kicker and Mehlhaff also kicks off with his left foot. Mehlhaff's appeareance at practice enabled the Vikings to get some looks, something that doesn't only benefit the return men but also can help the up men prepare if there is an onside kick.

UPDATE: Just got word from the NFL that defensive end Jayme Mitchell was fined $5,000 for unnecessary roughness for grabbing Kevin Smith's helmet opening on a tackle last week.

UPDATE: Here is the Vikings' injury report for today:

LB Erin Henderson -- calf -- did not practice Friday -- out for Sunday's game

LB E.J. Henderson -- shoulder -- limited participation Friday -- questionable for Sunday's game

S Madieu Williams -- shoulder -- full participation Friday -- probable for Sunday's game

RB Adrian Peterson -- back --   full participation Friday -- probable for Sunday's game

TE Jim Kleinsasser -- hand -- full participation Friday -- probable for Sunday's game

WR Percy Harvin -- illness -- did not practice Friday -- questionable for Sunday's game

Comment on this post   |   1 comments   |  Hide reader comments

Premium: Vikings-Saints Game Day Playoff Chat

Ross Marrinson

Join Ross Marrinson and Access Vikings Premium members during and after the playoff game against New Orleans.

CHAT ENDED: Read the transcript

Premium: Vikings Playoff Chat with Zulgad and Scoggins

Judd Zulgad and Chip Scoggins

CHAT ENDED: Read the transcript

Premium: Vikings-Cowboys Game Day Playoff Chat

Ross Marrinson

CHAT ENDED: Read the transcript

Get Fan Gear at the Star Tribune Fan Shop

Date/Opponent Time W L Score
Sep 13 - at Cleveland 12:00 PM1034-20
Sep 20 - at Detroit 12:00 PM2027-13
Sep 27 - vs. San Francisco 12:00 PM3027-24
Oct 5 - vs. Green Bay 7:30 PM4030-23
Oct 11 - at St. Louis 12:00 PM5038-10
Oct 18 - vs. Baltimore 12:00 PM6033-31
Oct 25 - at Pittsburgh 12:00 PM6117-27
Nov 1 - at Green Bay 3:15 PM7138-26
Open     
Nov 15 - vs. Detroit 12:00 PM8127-10
Nov 22 - vs. Seattle 12:00 PM9135-9
Nov 29 - vs. Chicago 3:15 PM10136-10
Dec 6 - at Arizona 7:20 PM10217-30
Dec 13 - vs. Cincinnati 12:00 PM11230-10
Dec 20 - at Carolina 7:20 PM1137-26
Dec 28 - at Chicago 7:30 PM11430-36
Jan 3 - vs. NY Giants 12:00 PM12444-7

Get your copy of Purple Reign now

© 2009 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

Contact UsAbout UsTerms of Service
Privacy PolicyMember CenterAdvertise

Powered by Clickability