By Joseph Gunther
The Minnesota Vikings are looking to get its passing offense back on track Sunday against the Detroit Lions at Mall of America Field. Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said during the week that the team took a look at the blocking scheme and routes run by the receivers, but Percy Harvin is still the most dynamic player on the Vikings roster. His absence will leave a huge hole in the Vikings offense.
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
WR Percy Harvin (ankle)
The fourth-year veteran did not practice all week. He has been banged up all season, but has not missed a game. He has 62 receptions for 677 receiving yards, 96 rushing yards and five total touchdowns. If he is unable to play, Jarius Wright would most likely make his NFL debut as the slot receiver. Status for Sunday: Doubtful.
TE John Carlson (concussion)
The fourth-year veteran was a full participant 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: Probable.
FB Jerome Felton (shoulder)
The fifth-year veteran was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday. He returned to practice as a full participant Friday. He was injured during the loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He has been used strictly as a blocker through nine games this season. Status for Sunday: Probable.
DT Letroy Guion (foot)
The fifth-year veteran did not practice Wednesday and Thursday, but returned Friday as a limited participant. He was injured during the loss to the Seahawks. He has 24 tackles and two sacks through nine games this season. If Guion does not play, he will likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Fred Evans with Christian Ballard getting extra repetitions in the defensive line rotation. Status for Sunday: Doubtful.
OT Matt Kalil (knee)
The rookie was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday. He returned Friday as a full participant. He was injured during the loss to the Seahawks. He has been on the injury report previously, but has not missed a game. If he is unable to play, Charlie Johnson would be the likely candidate to take his spot in the starting lineup. 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 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He averages 44.1 yards per punt with 10 downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Status for Sunday: Probable.
RB Adrian Peterson (ankle/illness)
The sixth-year veteran was a full participant Wednesday and Friday. He missed Thursday’s practice with an illness. He was injured in the Week 5 win over the Titans. He has a league-leading 957 rushing yards and six touchdowns rushing while catching 26 passes for 150 yards. He has been listed on the injury report multiple times 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.
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: Probable.
S Jamarca Sanford (knee)
The fourth-year veteran was a full participant all week. He was injured in the loss to the Seahawks. He has 48 tackles, five passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. If he is unable to play, Raymond would likely return to the starting lineup and Andrew Sendejo or Robert Blanton would be the beneficiary of the extra repetitions. Status for Sunday: Probable.
WR Jerome Simpson (calf)
The fifth-year veteran was a full participant all week. He has been on the injury report multiple times since suffering leg numbness before the Week 5 win over the Tennessee Titans. He has eight catches for 109 yards in five games this season. Status for Sunday: Probable.
CB Antoine Winfield (knee)
The 14th-year veteran was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday. He returned Friday as a full participant. He has 65 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:
TE John Carlson (concussion)
FB Jerome Felton (shoulder)
OT Matt Kalil (knee)
P Chris Kluwe (knee)
RB Adrian Peterson (ankle/illness)
S Mistral Raymond (ankle)
S Jamarca Sanford (knee)
WR Jerome Simpson (calf)
CB Antoine Winfield (knee)
Doubtful:
DT Letroy Guion (foot)
WR Percy Harvin (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.
