Rice to make decision Saturday

After a week of taking part in practice, Sidney Rice plans to make a decision Saturday on whether he will be able to make his 2010 debut Sunday in the Vikings game at Chicago.

The wide receiver underwent hip surgery in late August and has been on the physically unable to perform list. He started practicing on Nov. 3 and coach Brad Childress said after Thursday's practice that Rice had gone "very hard" in that session. If Rice is going to play on Sunday, he needs to be activated to the 53-man roster on Saturday.

"The decision is up to Sidney when he's going to jump back in," Childress said Friday. Rice said he was a little sore but that did not stop him from getting back on the field.

Rice, who had a career-high 83 receptions for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns last season, admits this will be a key decision for him. His contract expires after this season and if Rice does rush back he risks the chance of having a setback. "It's huge," Rice said. "Definitely, I want no setbacks but I also want to help this team as much as I can."

While Childress has indicated that Rice probably would return in somewhat of a limited role, Rice made it clear he wants to be able to carry a full workload.

"When I'm out there on the field I want to play every snap I can," he said. "I don't want to be limited. I want to be able to help the team as much as possible. That's another thing. I don't want to hurt the team in any way. We're in a critical position right now. We need all these wins. I don't want to just throw myself out there knowing I can only get 10 plays and we have another receiver down that could have helped the team out a lot more."

Harvin, Berrian questionable

Harvin returned to Winter Park on Friday and did limited work in practice after missing Wednesday and Thursday because of a migraine headache. Childress initially said he would list Harvin as doubtful, meaning there would have been a 25 percent chance he would play, but that was changed to questionable (50 percent chance) by the time the injury report was issued.

Harvin, who also has been dealing with a sprained left ankle, left the team's practice facility without talking to reporters.

Said Childress: "[Harvin] did some things today in a limited fashion, but [his migraine] hasn't completely cleared yet." When asked about Harvin's ankle, Childress said: "That doesn't seem to be bothering him significantly because I asked the same question."

Harvin has missed numerous practices in his two years with the Vikings because of migraine headaches but has only sat out one game. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday of last week because of the ankle injury and still had career highs in catches (nine) and receiving yards (126) in a 27-24 victory over Arizona.

Berrian, meanwhile, was added to the injury report for the second consecutive Friday because of a groin issue. He was limited in today's session. Berrian played last Sunday against the Cardinals and had a season-high nine receptions for 89 yards after being listed as probable.

Asher Allen was unable to practice at all this week because of a concussion suffered against the Cardinals and is listed as doubtful. That means rookie Chris Cook likely will get the start at the right corner position.

Cook has started three games this season but each time it has been because the Vikings opened in their nickel defense. "This is my chance, and I'm definitely not looking back," Cook said. "I'm attacking it with full force right now."

Cook has missed four games this season because of knee injuries. He is looking forward to getting additional snaps.

"It's definitely easier [to play the whole game]," Cook said. "Especially a DB, getting into the flow of the game, just as far as route recognition and play recognition as a whole. It's a lot easier being in the game from the start."

With Cook expected to start, look for Lito Sheppard to be the first corner off the bench in the nickel. Frank Walker also could be worked into the rotation.