Zimmer wants to utilize Banyard and Tate more

With Jerick McKinnon placed on injured reserve, the Vikings are left with three running backs to work with during the final three games.

Matt Asiata started the past two games, but coach Mike Zimmer would like to get Ben Tate and Joe Banyard more carries to finish the season.

"I think Matt probably had a few too many carries," Zimmer said. "We'd like to get Ben a few more carries this week as well, and so we'll see. Sometimes you just get in the flow of games and things happen. Unless you pre-script it and say, 'This series, this series.' Sometimes that's just the way it goes, but Matt probably got a few too many and those other guys probably got a few too less."

Asiata finished Sunday's 30-24 overtime victory over the Jets with 19 rushes for 54 yards, averaging 2.8 yards per carry. Tate had three carries for 15 yards while Banyard gained 9 yards on his only rush.

Zimmer said McKinnon will be out for the next two months and has already had a medical procedure on his lower back.

"It had been bothering him for a little while," Zimmer said. "He did come back and play a couple of games and then the two weeks and we just decided that it was time. It needed to be fixed, and we just couldn't prolong it any further."

McKinnon initially injured his back lifting weights at Winter Park. He finished his rookie season with 538 rushing yards in 11 games.

Floyd said he banged knees with a Bears defensive player, then the same thing occurred during practice the following week.

"Contusion on top of contusion, so it's doing what it's not supposed to do," Floyd said. "It just needs time."

Rookie defensive tackle Shamar Stephen has started in Floyd's place, with Floyd getting first-half snaps in pass-rushing situations.

There are no ligament issues with the knee, but Floyd said his status for Sunday's road contest against the Lions remains to be seen.

"It's going to be Zimmer's call, not mine," Floyd said.

"He was bad off the line of scrimmage, he put himself in bad position early and then he wasn't able to locate the ball in the air," Zimmer said.

Robinson has been streaky as of late following a solid start to the season. Zimmer said most of Robinson's struggles have been caused by improper technique, such as the touchdown allowed to Harvin. He also felt Robinson has dealt with a little lack of confidence when faced with adversity.

"When things aren't going good for you, you have to burr up and fight the demons a little bit," Zimmer said. "You've got to get in there and compete. … He has all the ability to do it, just whether or not he can muster up when it's time to go."

Along with left guard Charlie Johnson walking out Sunday in a walking boot and crutches, safety Robert Blanton left Winter Park in a walking boot on his left foot.

Zimmer wouldn't disclose Blanton's injury after an MRI and doesn't know his status for Sunday.

Zimmer said he's not sure whether Johnson, who suffered a right ankle sprain, will practice this week either.