Notebook: Vikings at nearly full strength for clash with Patriots
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings should be near full strength for Sunday's home opener against the New England Patriots.
Running back Adrian Peterson returned to practice on Friday after getting a day to rest on Thursday, and starters Sharrif Floyd and Xavier Rhodes were limited in Friday's practice and listed as questionable.
Peterson was listed Thursday after not practicing, but that wasn't injury-related. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer confirmed Peterson, who had 21 carries for 75 yards in last week's win, received a "veteran day" as he was present for practice but didn't participate.
Floyd returned to practice for the first time on Friday since injuring his shoulder in last week's game.
Floyd said he feels good but his status for Sunday will be a "coach's decision." A first-round draft pick last year, Floyd is in his first year as a starter at defensive tackle.
"He played well," Zimmer said of Floyd last week. "He played the run good. He had some good pass rushes in there. I thought he played well. I thought all of our defensive linemen played well last week."
Rhodes, dealing with a groin injury, has been limited the past two days after missing Wednesday's practice. The second-year cornerback was injured in last week's game.
"He practiced a little bit today," Zimmer said. "We will keep getting him treatment. I think there's a good chance."
Rhodes spent several minutes talking with Zimmer and head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman following Friday's practice.
"We were just discussing treatment," Zimmer said. "He's a kid who wants to go play, so he wants to do a lot of extra treatment and I just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page, that's all."
Receiver Rodney Smith was listed on the injury report for the first time. He was listed as questionable for Sunday with a hamstring injury.
Rookie linebacker Brandon Watts is still out with a knee injury and won't play Sunday.
Starting left guard Charlie Johnson (ankle) was a full participant in practice on Friday after being limited during the previous two days. Johnson is listed as probable.
"He wasn't really doing much (in practice) when it happened," Zimmer said. "It's nothing."
Linebacker Michael Mauti (foot), fullback Zach Line (ankle), tackle Mike Harris (shoulder) and cornerback Jabari Price (hamstring) practiced fully and are listed as probable.
For the Patriots, tight end Rob Gronkowski was limited in practice but is probable. Starting linebacker Jamie Collins (thigh) didn't practice Friday and is listed as questionable. Starting center Ryan Wendell (knee) has been limited all week and is questionable.
Backup defensive linemen Michael Buchanan, Chris Jones and Sealver Silga are questionable after being limited this week in practice.
Zimmer not taking photo copy of last year: Zimmer, as the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator last year, slowed New England's potent offense and won the game. Patriots coach Bill Belichick told reporters he expects Zimmer will use a "Xerox copy" of last year's game plan.
Zimmer downplayed the similarities, just as he's done all week.
"I don't know. It's a completely different team," Zimmer said. "They didn't have Gronkowski last year. I don't know. I know he's going for win No. 200 and I'm going for win No. 2."
Zimmer's time: Zimmer was asked on Friday what he does during the weekends leading up to games. He offered a bit more insight into his outdoor nature. Zimmer said he typically goes hunting on Friday afternoons after practice before focusing in on the week's game again.
"Hopefully Friday afternoons I go deer hunting, but I'm not doing that this afternoon," Zimmer said. "Usually that's what I do and then Saturday morning I study again and Saturday night, and usually a little bit Sunday morning."
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