By Joseph Gunther
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier did not sound too optimistic about Brian Robison’s availability for Sunday’s tilt against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium.
However, by the end of the week, Robison made an appearance at practice and even took reps with the defense’s first unit. His replacement is Everson Griffen, who also was a little banged up on Sunday.
The best news for the Vikings was that cornerback Chris Cook was not listed on the injury report all week and should play in his first game since being placed on injured reserve following Week 8.
DE Brian Robison (shoulder)
(Credit, Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
The six-year veteran did not practice Wednesday and Thursday, but returned as a limited participant on Friday. He was injured early in Sunday’s win over the St. Louis Rams. He has 36 tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He is on the injury report for the first time this season. If Robison is inactive, first-year defensive end D’Aundre Reed should be active for the seventh time this season. Status for Sunday: Questionable.
DE Jared Allen (shoulder)
The ninth-year veteran was a limited participant at practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant on Friday. He was injured during the Week 10 win over the Detroit Lions. He has been on the injury list in previous weeks, but has not missed a game. He has 42 tackles, nine sacks, three passes defensed and a forced fumble this season. Status for Sunday: Probable.
DE Everson Griffen (elbow)
The third-year veteran was a full participant all week. He was injured in the Sunday’s win over the Rams. He has 21 tackles, five sacks, one pass defensed, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one touchdown. He is on the injury report for the first time this season Status for Sunday: Probable.
OT Matt Kalil (illness)
The rookie did not participate in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant on Friday. He suffered the illness early in the week. He has been on the injury report once this season, but has not missed a game. Status for Sunday: Probable.
P Chris Kluwe (left knee/right groin)
The eighth-year veteran was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant on Friday. He was injured in the Week 8 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has not missed a game and averages 44.7 yards per punt with 17 downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. The right groin injury was added to the injury report prior to the victory over the Rams. Status for Sunday: Probable.
OT Phil Loadholt (knee)
The fourth-year veteran was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant on Friday. He was injured during the Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears, but has not missed a game this season. Status for Sunday: Probable.
RB Adrian Peterson (abdomen/groin)
The sixth-year veteran did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant on Friday. He has been on the injury report every week this season, but has not missed a game. He has 1,812 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns while catching 38 passes for 211 yards this season. He is not expected to miss the game. Status for Sunday: Probable.
S Mistral Raymond (ankle)
The second-year veteran was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant on Friday. He was originally injured in the Week 3 win over the San Francisco 49ers with a high ankle sprain. He missed six games, but returned in the Week 10 win over the Lions. He has not been on the injury report since Week 10. Status for Sunday: Probable.
CB Marcus Sherels (quadriceps/elbow)
The second-year veteran was a full participant in practice all week. He was injured in Sunday’s win over the Rams. He has six tackles, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery. Status for Sunday: Probable.
CB Antoine Winfield (knee)
The 14th-year veteran was a limited participant in practice all week. He has been on the injury report every week since Week 5, but has not missed a game. He has 96 tackles, half a sack, 11 passes defensed, three interceptions and one fumble recovery. 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:
DE Jared Allen (shoulder)
DE Everson Griffen (elbow)
OT Matt Kalil (illness)
P Chris Kluwe (left knee/right groin)
OT Phil Loadholt (knee)
RB Adrian Peterson (abdomen/groin)
S Mistral Raymond (ankle)
CB Marcus Sherels (quadriceps/groin)
CB Antoine Winfield (knee)
Questionable:
DE Brian Robison (shoulder)
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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.
