EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — With a pivotal final two games coming against teams that have already clinched playoff spots, the Minnesota Vikings got back to practice Wednesday without three key players, though only starting defensive end Brian Robison's status for Sunday is in doubt.
Running back Adrian Peterson, who leads the league with 1,812 yards rushing and is vying for Eric Dickerson's single-season record of 2,105, sat out Wednesday's practice with what's listed as abdominal and groin injuries. But Peterson, coming back from major knee surgery, was likely getting rest at the end of a season in which he's received more of a workload than many expected.
"We may or may not have Adrian do anything today," Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier said earlier Wednesday before Peterson was held out.
Rookie left tackle Matt Kalil missed practice because of an illness. Robison, who has 7.5 sacks as the starting left end, is dealing with an AC sprain in his right shoulder, and Frazier said the sprain is a Grade 3, which means Robison suffered major tears to the tendons.
"It will be day to day," Frazier said of Robison's status for Sunday's game at 12-2 Houston. "We're hoping that he'll make it. But it will be day to day. We probably won't know anything until probably Friday, just to see whether or not he's making continued progress throughout the week."
Veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield (knee), defensive end Jared Allen (shoulder), punter Chris Kluwe (left knee/right groin), tackle Phil Loadholt (knee) and safety Mistral Raymond (ankle) were limited in Wednesday's practice.
Defensive end Everson Griffen, who filled in for Robison after the injury Sunday and had an interception return for a touchdown, had his elbow heavily wrapped during practice but was a full participant. Cornerback and returner Marcus Sherels was listed as a full participant with quadriceps and elbow injuries.
Cornerback Chris Cook, still trying to make his return from a broken arm, was at practice again Wednesday and is hopeful to return for Sunday's game.
Peterson earns team honor, gives toys for the holidays: Peterson, in his comeback from knee surgery, was selected as the team's 2012 Ed Block Courage Award winner as voted on by his teammates.
He suffered tears to the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee against Washington last season and had surgery on Dec. 30. Yet Peterson battled through a major recovery and was in the lineup for the season's opening game and has already established a career high in rushing yards this season and is a candidate for MVP and Comeback Player of the Year honors.
Every NFL team selects an Ed Block Courage Award winner who "exemplifies commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage."
The Vikings also announced that Peterson and the Mall of America are partnering to donate 1,812 toys (one for each of Peterson's rushing yards to date) to the Salvation Army during the holiday season. The total number of toys will increase at the completion of the regular season to reflect Peterson's final rushing yardage total.
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