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Access Vikings morning walkthrough: Zimmer pumps the brakes on Harris, defense getting guys back and more

Keep an eye out for the injury report in the afternoon. That will give us hints as to whether Linval Joseph, Harrison Smith or Anthony Barr will play Sunday.

By Matt Vensel

December 18, 2015 at 4:52PM

Every weekday, we walk you through what's going on with the Vikings.

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

— Rookie safety Anthony Harris played well in his debut, but coach Mike Zimmer wants to see more before touting him as a future starter.

— Nose tackle Linval Joseph joined safety Harrison Smith at practice.

— Running back Adrian Peterson leads all non-quarterbacks in fumbles this season, and he knows he needs to protect the ball better.

— Offensive coordinator Norv Turner defended the final play in Arizona.

— Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has a 101.6 passer rating under a roof this season. That's one of five Vikings stats that stand out this week.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

— Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is battling illness and a calf injury, but quarterback Jay Cutler doesn't seem concerned about his status for Sunday.

— After watching the Bears defense get off to a slow start without him last weekend, outside linebacker Pernell McPhee hopes to play Sunday.

— Chicago's Kyle Long is starting to feel comfortable at offensive tackle.

TODAY'S VIKINGS SCHEDULE

The Vikings practice at 11 a.m. Zimmer is on the podium afterward. Keep an eye out for the injury report in the afternoon. That will give us hints as to whether Joseph, Smith or outside linebacker Anthony Barr will play Sunday.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

There is still three weeks left in the regular season and the Vikings can clinch a playoff spot this weekend, but mock draft season is already upon us. My colleague Michael Rand hopped on a conference call with ESPN's Todd McShay yesterday, and McShay said he thinks the Vikings will draft a weak-side linebacker early to replace Chad Greenway. But that player might already be on the roster. When they drafted Eric Kendricks last year, they said he would start at middle linebacker but that he could ultimately end up at weak-side linebacker. If the Vikings make that switch this offseason, they of course will need to find a new middle linebacker. But considering how much nickel they play, that might not be a first-round-type priority.