Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings continue to look like the walking wounded and both middle linebacker E.J. Henderson and running back Adrian Peterson missed practice Wednesday. Henderson missed practice with a shoulder injury and Peterson sat out with a high ankle sprain.

The Vikings placed 4 players on Injured Reserve Tuesday ending their seasons. The 4 players are long snapper Cullen Loeffler (back), receiver Michael Jenkins (knee), and safeties Husain Abdullah (concussion) and Tyrell Johnson (hamstring). The Vikings signed long snapper Matt Katula, receiver Stephen Burton and safeties Jarrod Page and Andrew Sendejo.

The Vikings are trying to avoid a local television blackout for their game Sunday against Denver but have just under 3,000 tickets remaining for that game. The Vikings have until noon Thursday to sell those tickets to avoid a TV blackout. The Vikings have sold out every preseason, regular season and postseason game since 1998, 141 straight sellouts.

Viking head coach Leslie Frazier acknowledged Monday that he should have challenged the 3rd and goal play involving Percy Harvin Sunday against Atlanta. Harvin was ruled down at the 1-yard line but he thought he had scored. On the 4th and goal play Toby Gerhart was stuffed at the 1 and Minnesota failed to score.

The Vikings lost 24-14 at Atlanta to the Falcons Sunday afternoon to fall to 2-9 on the season. Minnesota fell behind 17-0 before coming back to cut the lead to 17-14 but Minnesota would get no closer. Matt Ryan threw for 262 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Falcons and Christian Ponder was 17-25 passing for 186 yards and 1 touchdown with no interceptions.

Viking running back Adrian Peterson is listed as doubtful by the Vikings this week with a high ankle sprain and isn't expected to play at Atlanta this Sunday. Peterson has not been ruled out of the game but he didn't practice all week despite having the walking boot removed from the left foot and ankle on Friday. Peterson had said Thursday that he expected to play.

The Vikings may play with running back Adrian Peterson afterall. Peterson said Thursday he expects to play Sunday at Atlanta despite a high ankle sprain. He hasn't practiced this week and he continues to be in a walking boot. The Vikings will likely find out today whether Peterson can play on the ankle as they take the walking boot off. If he cannot then the Vikings will use a combination of Toby Gerhart and Percy Harvin as the tailback.

Former Viking receiver Cris Carter and defensive end Chris Doleman were both named semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Tuesday. Carter had 1,101 career receptions for 13,899 yards and 130 touchdowns in his 16 year NFL career. Carter spend 12 seasons with the Vikings. Doleman spent 15 seasons in the NFL including the first 10 with the Vikings. He recorded 150.5 sacks in his career.

Viking cornerback Chris Cook appeared in court Tuesday and plans to contest the two felony counts against him by claiming self defense. He faces a charge of felony domestic assault by strangulation and 3rd degree assault. A crimminal complaint alleges Cook attacked his girlfriend October 22 after she spoke with an ex-boyfriend.

Viking running back Adrian Peterson has a grade 1 high ankle sprain. The Vikings announced that yesterday. A grade 1 sprain is the least severe of the grades of ankle sprains. Peterson will be in a walking boot this week until Friday when the Vikings will see if he can do some football activities. Peterson has missed just 3 games in his 5-year NFL career.