A badly sprained left ankle kept Percy Harvin off the practice field again on Friday, but Vikings coach Leslie Frazier still hasn't given up hope that the NFL's leader in receptions will find a way to play against the Lions in Sunday's NFC North game at Mall of America Field.
"He still has a little less than 48 hours to have a chance to continue to improve," said Frazier, who listed Harvin as doubtful. "He'll continue to get treatment. If it comes to it, we definitely will work him out before the game to try and get him out there if it's possible."
Either way, Frazier said rookie Jarius Wright, Harvin's backup, will be active for the first time in his NFL career on Sunday.
"We were all teasing him, saying, 'Are you ready for this prime-time action?' " Frazier said. "He's handled [this week's practice] well. He's pumped up about the chance to get some action."
Seventeen receivers were drafted ahead of Wright in April. All have been active for at least one regular-season game. But Wright, according to Frazier, has maintained a positive approach while waiting his turn.
"I wouldn't say it's a relief," Wright said. "I knew my time was coming sometime. I'm very excited and happy."
Harvin was on crutches earlier in the week. He's off them now, but was seen Thursday in the locker room walking slowly and not putting much weight on his left foot.
"He'd have to make quite a bit of recovery [Saturday] for us to say, 'OK, we'll wait until Sunday to see what you can do [in a pre-game workout]' " Frazier said. "But it's possible. We've seen it happen before. So we're going to continue to treat him and see how he feels [Saturday]."
