Kluwe, Winfield will miss practice

The Vikings will hit the practice field at Winter Park at 1:25 this afternoon. But don't expect either punter Chris Kluwe or cornerback Antoine Winfield to be participants. Kluwe is still nursing a hamstring injury suffered Sunday in Kansas City. He will not punt this afternoon but plans to return to practice Friday. Both Kluwe and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer said Kluwe should be fully healthy to punt in game action by Sunday. "We're taking the amputation option off the table," Kluwe joked. "We're still considering it, though." If Kluwe regresses at all and feels he'll be unable to go, the Vikings would likely have to sign a punter some time Friday. Former Lions punter Nick Harris might be the insurance policy. Back-up quarterback Christian Ponder, meanwhile, could see his first NFL action as a holder in place of Kluwe. As for Winfield, defensive coordinator Fred Pagac didn't have much to say about the neck injury that kept the veteran cornerback out of practice Wednesday. "Antoine, we don't know what's going to be happening with him," Pagac said. "We'll know later in the week." There's a chance that the Vikings will take the cautious route with Winfield on Sunday. And if he were not to play against Arizona, Chris Cook would get the start in his place with Asher Allen seeing more work as well.