Berrian back on the field; waiting on Rice

Bernard Berrian did limited work in practice Thursday and Vikings coach Brad Childress said he wants to see where the wide receiver is at on Friday as he tries to rebound from a groin injury.

"He's coming along, he's coming along," Childress said.

Berrian did not practice Wednesday after sitting out Sunday's loss in Chicago, despite being on the 45-man game-day roster. In a situation that has remained a mystery, Berrian was not on the inactive list that was submitted 90 minutes before the game but at some point later he informed Childress that he couldn't play.

Childress indicated the issue is dead.

"Whatever happened, happened," he said. "It's water under the bridge. Is it the way you'd like it to happen? No. You'd like to have somebody else up. I've seen it happen before. I've seen a guy run down the ramp and break his foot on the way to the game at the Vet [in Philadelphia]. Hollis Thomas broke his foot. ... Things like that can happen."

Safety Eric Frampton was the only player to miss Thursday's practice. Frampton suffered a hamstring against the Bears and has yet to practice this week.

Quarterback Brett Favre (ankle, foot); wide receiver Percy Harvin (ankle); right guard Anthony Herrera (elbow); and center John Sullivan (calf) were limited for the second day in a row. Cornerbacks Asher Allen (concussion) and Chris Cook (knee) and safety Jamarca Sanford (hamstring) did not miss any practice time for a second consecutive day despite being on the report.

That could mean Allen might start in the base package, or maybe he would start if the Vikings open in their nickel defense as they've done a few times this season.

Waiting on Rice

The clock keeps ticking on wide receiver Sidney Rice, who must be activated from the physically unable to perform list by next Wednesday or miss the rest of the season. Rice is coming off hip surgery and has been practicing since Nov. 3. He will have to be placed on the 53-man roster by 3 central time on Saturday to play in Sunday's game.

As for the pressure Rice might be feeling to return, Childress said: "We're never going to chide a guy. The peer pressure in the locker room to play, to get up if you can get up, is hard enough as it stands. It doesn't make any difference what it is. Those guys are, as you know, can be a tough crowd, whether it's somebody that's got a concussion – there's a concussion protocol. That doesn't mean that they're above being ripped by their teammates. I think Pat Williams went off on somebody today in there that, as he can in his own diatribe. Which prompted: 'Hey, what time do you want to come over for Thanksgiving dinner?' from the person he was …"

On today's live chat, someone asked why the Vikings didn't simply put Rice on the 53-man roster because they've been carrying only 52 players since Randy Moss was placed on waivers. That seemed like a logical question for Childress.