By Joseph Gunther
The Minnesota Vikings media contingent at practice Friday was abuzz over the absence of Adrian Peterson.
(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Head coach Leslie Frazier dismissed the star running back’s absence as a maintenance day. However, tight end John Carlson wasn’t so fortunate. He is the only player ruled out for Sunday’s game.
TE John Carlson (concussion)
The fourth-year veteran did not practice all week. He was injured during the win over the Week 7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. He missed significant time during training camp and the preseason due to a knee injury. He has three catches for eight yards through seven games this season. He is not expected to play. Rhett Ellison’s playing time will increase while Carlson is out. Status for Sunday: Out.
DT Fred Evans (knee)
The sixth-year veteran was a full participant all week. He was injured during the win over the Cardinals. He has seven tackles and one pass defensed through eight games this season. Status for Sunday: Probable.
DT Letroy Guion (ribs)
The fifth-year veteran was a full participant all week. He was injured during the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has 20 tackles and two sacks through eight games this season. Status for Sunday: Probable.
WR Percy Harvin (hamstring)
The fourth-year veteran was a limited participant Wednesday and Friday. He missed Thursday’s practice, but it was not injury related. He has been banged up all season, but has not missed a game. He is tied for the league lead with 60 receptions. He also has 667 receiving yards, 72 rushing yards and five total touchdowns. Status for Sunday: Probable.
LB Erin Henderson (elbow)
The fourth-year veteran was a full participant all week. He was injured during Thursday’s loss to the Buccaneers. He missed a pair of games earlier in the season with a concussion. He has 34 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in six games this season. Status for Sunday: Probable.
P Chris Kluwe (knee)
The eighth-year veteran was a full participant all week. He was injured during Thursday’s loss to the Buccaneers. The Vikings reportedly worked out a punter earlier this week, but did not sign one. He averages 43.8 yards per punt with 10 downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Status for Sunday: Probable.
RB Adrian Peterson (ankle)
The sixth-year veteran was a limited participant in Wednesday and Thursday’s practice, but missed Friday’s practice. He was injured in the Week 5 win over the Titans. He has 775 yards and four touchdowns rushing while catching 23 passes for 139 yards. He has been listed on the injury report three times previously this season, but has not missed a start. He is expected to play and start, but if he can’t play Toby Gerhart will replace him in the starting lineup. Status for Sunday: Probable.
QB Christian Ponder (knee)
The second-year veteran was a full participant all week. He has been on the injury report since the Week 3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, but has not missed a start. He was on the injury report for a neck injury in Week 4, but has been listed with a knee injury since. He has 1,743 passing yards and 10 touchdowns while running for 104 yards and a touchdown. If he is unable to play, Joe Webb would replace him in the starting lineup. Status for Sunday: Probable.
S Mistral Raymond (ankle)
The second-year veteran was a limited participant all week. He injured the ankle in the Week 3 victory over the 49ers. He has five tackles and one pass defensed through three games this season. He has been replaced in the starting lineup by Jamarca Sanford. He is expected to play Sunday, but not in a starting role or in extensive action. Status for Sunday: Questionable.
CB Antoine Winfield (knee)
The 14th-year veteran was a limited participant all week. He has 40 tackles, one sack, seven passes defensed and two interceptions this season. He has been on the injury report several times this season, but has not missed a game this season. If he is unable to play Josh Robinson would replace him in the starting lineup. 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. Due to the Thursday game day, the Vikings did not give statuses for its injured players.
Recap of the Injury Status
Probable:
DT Fred Evans (knee)
DT Letroy Guion (ribs)
WR Percy Harvin (hamstring)
LB Erin Henderson (elbow)
P Chris Kluwe (knee)
RB Adrian Peterson (ankle)
QB Christian Ponder (knee)
CB Antoine Winfield (knee)
Questionable:
S Mistral Raymond (ankle)
Out:
TE John Carlson (concussion)
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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.
