EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings couldn't have gotten any better health news in advance of Sunday's win-and-in playoff scenario.
Minnesota (9-6), which can earn a playoff spot with a win Sunday at home against the NFC North champion Green Bay Packers (11-4), expect to have leading rusher Adrian Peterson, 14-year veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield and defensive end Brian Robison in uniform for Sunday's game.
Peterson, who is 102 yards shy of becoming the seventh player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season and 208 yards away from Eric Dickerson's single-season record of 2,105, has been bothered by an abdominal injury for two weeks. The injury caused him to leave last week's win at Houston early and he missed practice Wednesday and Thursday before returning in a limited role on Friday.
Peterson is listed as probable for Sunday's game.
"We'll know a little bit more after we go through some of pregame, and talking with him some after practice briefly there he feels pretty good," Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. "He feels better than he did last Friday at this time, so I don't think we have to go into it thinking about limiting his carries or anything like that. I think we go full speed ahead. That's what he wants. The doctors are telling me he's ready to go."
Winfield broke a bone in his right hand in last week's game, but played through the injury. He had a cast on earlier this week and was held out of practice all week, but he's expected to play Sunday. Winfield won't wear a cast and will have extra padding inside of his glove. He's listed as questionable.
"I think he'll make it," Frazier said. "Just being cautious today, but I think he'll be ready."
Robison is also listed as questionable. The starting left defensive end missed last week's game with an AC sprain of his right shoulder, but practiced on a limited basis all week.
"I really want to get inside and talk with him a bit," Frazier said. "We put him through some more things today. We had Brendan Daly, our D-line coach, put him through a little bit more. . . . Then we'll come back tomorrow and see how sore he is, or lack of soreness."
Linebacker Marvin Mitchell missed Friday's practice with an illness, and is listed as probable for Sunday. Defensive end Jared Allen (shoulder), punter Chris Kluwe (left knee), tackle Phil Loadholt (knee) and returner Marcus Sherels (quadriceps) are listed as probable.
Green Bay, which needs to win to earn the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye, ruled out safety Charles Woodson and running back James Starks for Sunday. Cornerback Davon House (shoulder/hip) is doubtful.
Leading receiver Randall Cobb, dealing with knee and ankle injuries, is questionable.
Receiver Jordy Nelson (hamstring), guard Josh Sitton (concussion), center Evan Dietrich-Smith (knee), defensive end C.J. Wilson (knee), defensive end Jerel Worthy (hamstring), center Jeff Saturday (neck/shoulder), tight end Tom Crabtree (hamstring) and running back Alex Green (concussion) are probable.
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