By Joseph Gunther
The Minnesota Vikings have gone through the first four weeks of the season without a major injury. The worst injury suffered so far was an ankle injury to safety Mistral Raymond that is expected to take 3-5 weeks to heal. All other injuries have been minor and week to week. However, those little injuries have grown the Vikings’ injury list to 10 players.
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
DE Jared Allen (groin)
The ninth-year veteran did not practice Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant on Friday. He was injured during the Vikings win over the Detroit Lions. Last week he was on the injury report with neck spasms. He has 10 tackles, two sacks, one pass defensed and one forced fumble this season. He is expected to start Sunday. Status for Sunday: Probable.
LB Erin Henderson (concussion)
The fourth-year veteran returned to practice this week. He was a limited participant Wednesday, but was a full participant Thursday and Friday. He was injured in the Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He recorded 22 tackles and two sacks through the first two games of the season. He should return as the starting weakside linebacker when he is cleared to play. Status for Sunday: Questionable.
WR Michael Jenkins (rib)
The ninth-year veteran did not practice Wednesday, then was a limited participant on Thursday and was a full participant Friday. He was injured early in the Vikings win over the Lions. He has 10 catches for 100 yards this season. If he is unable to play Devin Aromashodu should get more playing time as an outside receiver. Stephen Burton and Jarius Wright, who were both inactive last week in Detroit, would take his place on the active roster. Status for Sunday: Questionable.
OL Charlie Johnson (low back)
The seventh-year veteran was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant Friday. He was injured during the Vikings win over the Lions. He has started all four games this season. He is expected to start Sunday. Status for Sunday: Probable.
LB Marvin Mitchell (calf)
The sixth-year veteran was a limited participant Thursday and did not practice Friday. He was injured during practice this week. He missed the first two games of the season due an ankle injury. He has three tackles in two games this season. If both he and Henderson are unable to play, it is unclear who will start at weakside linebacker. Status for Sunday: Doubtful.
QB Christian Ponder (knee)
The second-year veteran was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday and was a full participant Friday. He was injured during the win over the Lions. He was on last week’s injury report with a neck injury. He has 824 passing yards and four touchdowns while running for 46 yards and a touchdown. He is expected to be the starting quarterback Sunday. Status for Sunday: Probable.
S Mistral Raymond (ankle)
The second-year veteran did not practice all week. He injured the ankle in the Week 3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers and is expected to be out 3-5 weeks. He has five tackles and one pass defensed through three games this season. He is expected to be replaced in the starting lineup by Jamarca Sanford. Status for Sunday: Out.
S Andrew Sendejo (ankle)
The second-year veteran did not practice all week. He was injured during the third preseason game and did not play the final preseason game and week one. He returned in Week 2 and played two games. He has not recorded any stats this season. It is unknown who will replace him on special teams, but rookie Robert Blanton will receive a lot more playing time as the only healthy reserve safety on the roster. Status for Sunday: Out.
CB Marcus Sherels (quadriceps)
The second-year player was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday and a full participant Friday. He was injured in the win over the Lions. He has two tackles and on fumble recovery along with a punt return touchdown on the season. He is expected to be the punt returner Sunday. Status for Sunday: Probable.
CB Antoine Winfield (knee)
The 14th-year veteran was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday and a full participant Friday. He was injured during the victory over the Lions. He has 30 tackles and four passes defensed through the first four games. He is expected to start Sunday. Status for Sunday: Probable.
The Vikings list probable as a 75 percent chance the player will play, questionable means it is 50 percent, doubtful is 25 percent and out means the player will not play.
Recap of the Injury Status
Probable:
Defensive End Jared Allen (groin)
Offensive Tackle Charlie Johnson (low back)
Quarterback Christian Ponder (knee)
Cornerback Marcus Sherels (quadriceps)
Cornerback Antoine Winfield (knee)
Questionable:
Linebacker Erin Henderson (concussion)
Wide Receiver Michael Jenkins (rib)
Doubtful:
Linebacker Marvin Mitchell (calf)
Out:
Safety Mistral Raymond (ankle)
Safety Andrew Sendejo (ankle)
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Joseph Gunther is an avid fan of Minnesota sports, including football, hockey and baseball. He covered a wide variety of sports while attending Hastings College in Hastings, Neb. While at Hastings College, he was a part of the first collegiate media group to broadcast a national tournament via television, radio, internet and newspaper at the 2004 NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament. He grew up in the Twin Cities playing three years of varsity football in high school. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
