DE Jared Allen will start for Vikings; no surprises among team's inactives
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MINNEAPOLIS -- Defensive end Jared Allen did not practice for the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday or Thursday because of a back injury, but he was active for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears.
Allen, who also is listed on the injury report because of a shoulder issue, participated in all of Friday's practice and was listed as probable.
The Vikings' inactives include McLeod Bethel-Thompson; cornerback Brandon Burton; linebacker Audie Cole; tackle Troy Kropog; guard Mark Asper; tight end Allen Reisner; and defensive end D'Aundre Reed.
The Bears willl be without wide receiver Earl Bennett (concussion), cornerback Tim Jennings (shoulder) and linebacker Brian Urlacher (hamstring). All three were declared as "out" for this game on Friday.
Also inactive for the Bears were quarterback Josh McCown; wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher; offensive lineman Chris Spencer (knee); and defensive tackle Stephen Paea (foot).
Nick Roach will start for Urlacher at middle linebacker and Geno Hayes will replace Roach at strong-side linebacker. Nate Collins will replace Paea at nose tackle and Kelvin Hayden will start in place of Jennings.
