Vikings notes: Robison a cooperative fella

It might take a few minutes for him to simmer down after a tough loss, but Brian Robison's willingness to thoughtfully answer any and all questions in the locker room this season has not gone unnoticed by the Minnesota media.

On Wednesday, the veteran defensive end was named the 2014 winner of the annual Korey Stringer Good Guy Award, an honor given to the player who was most cooperative, helpful and professional while interacting with the local media.

"I'm very appreciative of this award," Robison said. "It's named after a great guy. I've heard a lot of stories about him. He seemed like an awesome guy to be around, no matter who you were."

A dozen players received votes, but Robison finished first in the voting and won for the first time.

"I've always known that you guys have a job to do, and it's hard for you guys to come into the locker room every day, especially after losses, and really interview us and try to get stories out of us," Robison said, adding, "Without you guys the fans wouldn't know the type of person that I am, the sense of humor I have."

And in typical Robison fashion, he showed off that self-depreciating sense of humor while accepting the award.

"This award will definitely go in the room with the rest of my NFL accolades," Robison said, pausing. "So it will be in a room by itself."

Josey, 23, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this spring as a rookie free agent after going undrafted. The Eagles released him after the preseason even though he ranked second in the NFL with 225 rushing yards. He then joined the Jaguars.

Josey, who is listed at 5-10 and 190 pounds, had a productive college career at Missouri, though a severe knee injury ended his 2011 season prematurely and prevented him from suiting up for the Tigers in 2012. He returned in 2013 to rush for 1,166 yards and 16 touchdowns.

"We liked him coming out of college," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. "We felt like he was one of the better running backs on a practice squad that we could [bring] in, take a look at, see his skill level and kind of go from there."

The Vikings also signed rookie linebacker Justin Anderson to their practice squad.

Outside linebacker Chad Greenway did not practice Wednesday. Greenway played in Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins, two days after the death of his father, but he was knocked out of the game with a right knee injury. He was excused from the team Monday to be with his family in South Dakota but was back Wednesday.

With just three healthy linebackers on the active roster, the Vikings may have to promote at least one player from the practice squad.

"We're thin there, that's for sure," Zimmer said.

Also missing practice were tight end Kyle Rudolph (ankle) and wide receiver Jarius Wright (lower back).

Left guard Charlie Johnson (ankle) returned to practice after missing two games.

No Vikings were selected when the NFL announced on Tuesday night the 86 players who would play in the Pro Bowl in January. The last and only time the Vikings were not represented at the Pro Bowl was 1983.