Percy Harvin's late absence as the Minnesota Vikings were making their final run to the playoffs wasn't completely because of his ankle injury, according to a report by WCCO in the Twin Cities Sunday, and the team will reportedly look to trade the volatile receiver.
Harvin was placed on season-ending injured reserve with that badly sprained ankle on Dec. 5, motivated by a "blowup" he had with Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier, according to WCCO's Mike Max. Max was told by multiple sources, according to the report, that Harvin "had an embarrassing tirade directed toward Frazier" with teammates present.
Frazier has fostered a calm locker room filled with mutual respect between players and coaches. But Harvin, a highly-emotional player, has had several run-ins in his four years in Minnesota.
Harvin reportedly had a confrontation with former coach Brad Childress, in which he was said to have thrown a weight in Childress' direction. Last summer, he showed up to the mandatory minicamp and stated his displeasure with "a couple of things" and then reportedly requested a trade and sat out part of the mandatory practices before returning later.
Against Seattle earlier this season, Harvin was frustrated following one offensive series and was seen yelling on the sideline in Frazier's direction. Harvin injured his ankle later in that game and missed the final seven games of the season, going on injured reserve three weeks later.
But Harvin's emotional play also has turned him into one of the Vikings' top playmakers. Despite missing seven games, he still led Minnesota with 62 catches and 677 receiving yards this season. He was leading the NFL in catches at the time of his injury and his 35.9-yard kickoff return average was also a league-high at the time.
Harvin is also entering the final year of his rookie contract, with the Vikings having to decide whether to extend their top receiver, play out the final season or trade him.
Frazier said at his season-ending press conference there is no issue with Harvin.
"I don't know if there is anything that needs to be done," Frazier said. "I mean, he'll coexist peacefully. He exists peacefully now. Just get back, get healthy, get back on the football field."
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