By Joseph Gunther
The short week for the Minnesota Vikings has created plenty of uncertainty about the team’s injuries, most notably Adrian Peterson.The star running back did not practice, but is expected to play.
Due to the Thursday game, the Vikings had only one practice (Tuesday) before doing a walk-through in preparation of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wednesday.
DE Jared Allen (groin)
The ninth-year veteran was a limited participant Tuesday. He has 19 tackles, six 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. If he is unable to play Everson Griffen would take his spot in the starting lineup.
RB Matt Asiata (knee)
The first-year player was a full participant Tuesday. He was injured during practice last week. He has two carries for eight yards and one reception for two yards this season.
S Robert Blanton (hamstring)
The rookie was a full participant Tuesday. He has six tackles while being active for the last five games this season.
TE John Carlson (concussion)
The fourth-year veteran did not participate in Tuesday’s practice. He was injured during the win 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 would play in two tight end formations in Carlson’s place.
DT Fred Evans (knee)
The sixth-year veteran was a full participant Tuesday. He was injured during the win over the Cardinals. He has five tackles and one pass defensed through seven games this season.
OT Matt Kalil (low back)
The rookie was a limited participant Tuesday. He was injured during the win over the Cardinals. He has started all seven games this season. If he is unable to play, Charlie Johnson would most likely move from left guard to left tackle to replace him.
LB Marvin Mitchell (calf)
The sixth-year veteran was a full participant Tuesday. 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 two games prior to the victory over the Cardinals with this injury. He has three tackles in three games this season.
RB Adrian Peterson (ankle)
Clik here to view.
(Credit, Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
The sixth-year veteran did not participate in Tuesday’s practice. He was injured in the Week 5 win over the Titans. He has 652 yards and three touchdowns rushing while catching 22 passes for 135 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. He is expected to play and start, but if he can’t play Toby Gerhart will replace him in the starting lineup.
QB Christian Ponder (knee)
The second-year veteran was a full participant Tuesday. 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 1,492 passing yards and nine touchdowns while running for 92 yards and a touchdown. If he is unable to play, Joe Webb would replace him in the starting lineup.
S Mistral Raymond (ankle)
The second-year veteran was a limited participant Tuesday. 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 any game now. He has five tackles and one pass defensed through three games this season. He has been replaced in the starting lineup by Jamarca Sanford. Due to the short week, he probably will not play against the Buccaneers.
WR Jerome Simpson (lower back)
The fifth-year veteran was a full participant Tuesday. He was injured prior to the win over the Titans. He has five catches for 58 yards. He did not play in the loss to the Washington Redskins. He is expected to make his fourth start of the season. He sat out the first three games of the season, due to a suspension. If he is unable to play, Devin Aromashodu would most likely replace him as the deep threat.
S Harrison Smith (calf)
The rookie was a limited participant Tuesday. He was injured in the win over the Cardinals. He has 32 tackles, eight passes defensed, one interception, one touchdown and one fumble recovery. If he is unable to play, Andrew Sendejo or Blanton would replace him in the starting lineup.
CB Antoine Winfield (knee)
The 14th-year veteran was a limited participant Tuesday. He has 55 tackles, one sack, 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. If he is unable to play Josh Robinson would replace him in the starting lineup.
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.
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.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
