Rhodes, Floyd could be ready Sunday vs. Patriots

Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes felt "good" on Thursday, participating in practice for the first time this week. Though he was limited, and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd did not participate, coach Mike Zimmer said there's a good chance both could play against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Rhodes missed Wednesday's practice because of a groin injury he suffered in Sunday's 34-6 victory over the Rams. Floyd injured his shoulder on the Rams' final offensive drive of the game and has not practiced this week.

"It's still fresh a little bit, so [Friday] I'll get more treatment and see how I'll feel," Rhodes said. "It's getting better each and every day."

Zimmer said it's standard procedure for a player to be cleared by a trainer and to practice at some point during the week before he's OK to play.

Along with Floyd, linebacker Brandon Watts (knee) and running back Adrian Peterson (noninjury reason) did not practice.

Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was used as a running back at times during his rookie season, but offensive coordinator Norv Turner added an effective wrinkle by incorporating the jet sweep for Patterson against the Rams.

Just don't expect it weekly.

Patterson had 102 rushing yards and a touchdown on three carries. While the 67-yard touchdown dash in the third quarter has made its rounds on highlight shows this week, Turner thought it was Patterson's third-most-impressive run. He was more impressed on Patterson's gains of 23 and 12 yards.

"Those first two runs were physical runs, where he was physical at the line of scrimmage," Turner said. "He had to break a tackle. We got him going, the offensive line, backs, Matt [Asiata], all those guys, the tight ends on that long run, like a kickoff return, they got him 15, 18 yards downfield before he had to go to work."

The jet sweep has been a play Patterson said he's executed in junior college and his only season at Tennessee. Patterson now has a touchdown run in his past three games, dating back to last season, but even he doesn't know the next time he'll run the ball.

"The opportunities [are] limited," Patterson said. "When you get your chance, you have to make the best out of it. You can't complain or anything, this is a business game. When my opportunity comes, I just make the most of it."

For most running backs, 75 yards on 21 carries is a decent week. Not for Peterson, who nit-picked his performance against the Rams.

Peterson averaged 3.6 yards per carry and was used as a decoy at times for Patterson's long gains. The two combined for 177 rushing yards, carrying the offense throughout the game. The 2012 NFL MVP wouldn't disclose what he'll tweak heading into Week 2.

"You know my running style," Peterson said. "You know how I run, so I'll let you answer those questions for yourself. I just don't want to put it on tape."

Zimmer said he doesn't know whether special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will return next week against the Saints. Priefer was suspended three games, which could be reduced to two at the team's discretion, after a team investigation regarding anti-gay remarks Priefer made during the 2012 season. The Vikings hired Joe Marciano as an interim special teams coach until Priefer's reinstatement.