Adrian Peterson ruled out for Sunday; Percy Harvin sick, questionable
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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- For the second consecutive week, Adrian Peterson won't make it back from his ankle injury.
The Minnesota Vikings' All-Pro halfback wasn't on the field for the sliver of practice open to reporters on Friday, and coach Leslie Frazier said after practice Peterson has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.
"He has improved," Frazier said. "The work he did (Friday) was far better than a week ago Friday when he worked out. He's able to do things straightline pretty good. The cutting is still a little bit of an issue, but he's much further along than he was a week ago. So, hopefully, in the next few days, being able to cut will be less of a problem than it is today."
Peterson suffered a Grade 1 high left ankle sprain and ligament damage when Raiders safety Michael Huff landed on him in the Vikings' loss to Oakland on Nov. 20. He said on Thursday that he is improving every day but has yet to regain explosion and considered it a 50-50 shot he'd suffer further damage if he plays this week.
Receiver Percy Harvin missed practice because of illness and was one of four players listed as questionable. But Frazier said he "should be fine" to play against Denver and ruled out the possibility that Harvin was having one of the migraines that mostly have been under control this season.
"I don't know if it was a virus or what, but I know they're evaluating him as we speak," Frazier said.
On a positive note for the Vikings, middle linebacker E.J. Henderson (shoulder) returned to practice after sitting out the past two days and Frazier said there's "a very good chance" he'll play on Sunday.
Tight end Kyle Rudolph (quadriceps) also is expected to play, although he's listed as questionable along with Harvin, Henderson and cornerback Asher Allen (shoulder), who was being re-evaluated again after practice, Frazier said.
Right guard Anthony Herrera (knee) was listed as probable as is expected to start for the first time since he suffered lateral collateral ligament damage on Oct. 23 against Green Bay.
"Joe (Berger)'s done a good job for us in Anthony's absence," Frazier said. "But if we determine that Anthony is ready to go based on this week's practice, Anthony will be back in the starting lineup."
Also probable are linebacker Erin Henderson (hamstring), safety Jamarca Sanford (shoulder) and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring).
Nose tackle Fred Evans was missing during the portion of practice open to reporters but wasn't listed on the injury report. End Jared Allen returned to practice after being absent on Thursday for personal reasons.
