By Joseph Gunther
The Minnesota Vikings missed a few stars in practice this week. Fortunately, the team appears to be mostly healthy heading into a home game against the Arizona Cardinals.
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(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
The most severe injury suffered this season by a Vikings player was safety Mistral Raymond’s ankle injury in the Week 3 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He returned to practice, but will have to wait to return to game action.
DE Jared Allen (groin)
The ninth-year veteran was a limited participant on Wednesday before sitting out practice on Thursday. He returned to practice Friday as a full participant. He has16 tackles, four sacks, two passes defensed and one forced fumble. He has been on the injury report in previous weeks for other ailments, but has not missed a game this season. Status for Sunday: Probable.
RB Matt Asiata (knee)
The first-year player was added to injury report on Thursday. He was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. He has two carries for eight yards and one reception for two yards this season. He has been active for all six games this season. Status for Sunday: Questionable.
S Robert Blanton (hamstring)
The rookie was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant Friday. He has six tackles while being active for the last four games this season. He has been the only healthy reserve safety for the Vikings. With Andrew Sendejo healthy this week, Blanton won’t have to sub-in for both safeties. His improving play will still get him more reps. Status for Sunday: Probable.
LB Marvin Mitchell (calf)
The sixth-year veteran was a limited participant in practice all week. He was injured during the practice’s leading up to the win over the Tennessee Titans. He missed the first two games of the season due an ankle injury and the last two with this injury. He has three tackles in two games this season. Status for Sunday: Questionable.
RB Adrian Peterson (ankle)
The sixth-year veteran did not practice Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant Friday. He was injured in the Week 5 win over the Titans. He has 499 yards and two touchdowns rushing while catching 20 passes for 129 yards. He is expected to start. He has been listed on the injury report three times previously this season, but has not missed a start. Status for Sunday: Probable.
QB Christian Ponder (knee)
The second-year veteran was a full participant all week. He has been on the injury since the Week 3 win over the 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 1,434 passing yards and eight touchdowns while running for 90 yards and a touchdown. Status for Sunday: Probable.
S Mistral Raymond (ankle)
The second-year veteran returned to practice this week and was a limited participant. He injured the ankle in the Week 3 victory over the 49ers. The general time table for his type of injury would put him back within the next two weeks. He has five tackles and one pass defensed through three games this season. He has been replaced in the starting lineup by Jamarca Sanford. Status for Sunday: Out.
WR Jerome Simpson (lower back)
The fifth-year veteran was a full participant in practice all week. He was injured prior to the win over the Titans. He has four catches for 50 yards and two pass interference penalties drawn in two games. He did not play in the loss to the Washington Redskins. He is expected to make his third start of the season. He sat out the first three games of the season, due to a suspension. Status for Sunday: Probable.
CB Antoine Winfield (knee)
The 14th-year veteran was a limited participant in practice all week. He has 44 tackles, six 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. 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:
DE Jared Allen (groin)
S Robert Blanton (hamstring)
RB Adrian Peterson (ankle)
QB Christian Ponder (knee)
WR Jerome Simpson (low back)
CB Antoine Winfield (knee
Questionable:
RB Matt Asiata (knee)
LB Marvin Mitchell (calf)
Out:
S Mistral Raymond (ankle)
For more Local Football Bloggers and the latest Vikings news, see CBS Sports Minnesota.
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.
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