The Vikings face the Buffalo Bills once every four years during the regular season, but cornerback Xavier Rhodes will line up against a familiar foe at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday.

The second-year cornerback will prepare for wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who was the fourth overall pick in last year's draft. Rhodes, who attended Florida State, squared off against Watkins, who attended Clemson, twice in college.

"The kid is just good," Rhodes said. "He's explosive when he comes out of his breaks. I can say about his game now is he's more detailed now. They're probably on him for being more detailed, being at the right spot at the right time, not drifting his routes."

Watkins, who had one of the worst games of his young career last week against the Patriots, has prepared for press corners leading to his matchup against cornerback Darrelle Revis. The rookie was held in check for only two catches for 27 yards. Watkins will continue to prepare in practice to face other physical corners this season, such as Rhodes.

"I've got our cornerbacks being very physical from grabbing me, holding me, pushing me while I'm running my routes," Watkins said on a conference call with Twin Cities reporters Wednesday. "I've got those guys trying to get me better every day in practice."

Greenway 'pretty good'

Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway could see another streak fall this season, though he'll probably be a little happier about this one.

Greenway was a full participant at Thursday's practice, marking the second consecutive day he's been able to practice. He has missed the past three games because of broken ribs, snapping a streak of 90 consecutive starts and 115 consecutive games played.

"[Wednesday] we were in pads, and he felt pretty good," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. "We've done another test to see where he's at healing-wise, and he looks pretty good. So I'm going to have to trust him with what he says."

Zimmer hopes Greenway will be honest about his health to avoid reinjuring his ribs, though he appears to be on track to play Sunday against the Bills.

As for whether he'll start, Zimmer said, "My thought is that if he can play, he can play."

Linebacker Gerald Hodges, who replaced Greenway in the starting lineup over the past three games, missed practice for a second consecutive day because of a hamstring injury he suffered in last week's 17-3 loss to the Lions.

Happening quickly

Rookie running back Jerick McKinnon has played just about every role in the first six games of his career. He started the season third on the depth chart, receiving only three offensive snaps in the season opener against the Rams.

In Adrian Peterson's absence, McKinnon was rushed into a backup position in Week 2. Last week, he received his first career NFL start against the Lions, gaining 82 total yards on 11 carries and six catches.

"[It has been] a whirlwind," McKinnon said. "Everything happened so fast. I think I prepare myself to be ready for whatever happens. There has definitely been a lot thrown my way, just from a rookie standpoint, going through a whole bunch of different things. But I think it's helped me in my progression to become a better NFL running back."

Needs improvement

Zimmer wasn't pleased with how the special teams performed against the Lions. Though he only mentioned the unit in general, special teams coordinator Mike Priefer said Zimmer was not happy with the amount of penalties.

"It's the penalties that are killing us," Priefer said. "That's very unlike our team."

Priefer said the Vikings were penalized 14 times last season on special teams. The unit has already drawn 10 flags in six games this year. Among the eight penalties on punts, safety Antone Exum Jr. has been flagged in the past two games.

"I've told those guys if they're a repeat offender, they're in danger of being off the core teams," Priefer said.