**2012 practice/presser notes**

[dead_poet]

Is Jarius Wright actually healthy at the moment?

I think so, yes. Trouble is getting him on the field. Coaching staff might think he was behind after so much missed time and there's the issue of who to deactivate on game days if he's active (I don't think he contributes on special teams but I might be wrong). I'm also not sure he has a large enough role with Harvin handling slot & kickoff duties and Sherels I assume having locked down the punt return job (even though I'd still like Josh Robinson to win that at some point). He also may have either suffered a minor setback or wasn't far enough along last week in practice/preparation to be active. Though I think it has less to do with this health than the other points I mentioned. I'll be curious to see if he's active Sunday.

[dead_poet]

Jared Allen, responding to a strange question on if he's being blocked any differently: "No. They're still using human beings. "

[Mothman]

Great response...

[Mothman]

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Chri ... 100412?t=2

Jared Allen (groin) did not take part in practice for the second consecutive day, but Frazier said hw hopes the defensive end can return on Friday.

"I think he'll be fine for Sunday," Frazier said. "We just want to make sure we're a little bit cautious because he's a little bit sore. He'll get some work (Friday)."

Linebacker Erin Henderson, who has missed the past two games because of a concussion, was able to finish practice on Thursday and went through all drills.

Marvin Mitchell had replaced Henderson at weak-side linebacker in the base defense in victories over San Francisco and Detroit, but he might miss Sunday's game after injuring his calf on Thursday during special-teams drills. The team sent Mitchell to get an MRI.

There's more injury info at the link above.

[losperros]

I think so, yes. Trouble is getting him on the field. Coaching staff might think he was behind after so much missed time and there's the issue of who to deactivate on game days if he's active (I don't think he contributes on special teams but I might be wrong). I'm also not sure he has a large enough role with Harvin handling slot & kickoff duties and Sherels I assume having locked down the punt return job (even though I'd still like Josh Robinson to win that at some point). He also may have either suffered a minor setback or wasn't far enough along last week in practice/preparation to be active. Though I think it has less to do with this health than the other points I mentioned. I'll be curious to see if he's active Sunday.

I hope that Wright will be activated and can play. Two things I liked about him when he played for Arkansas was his precise route running and ability to get deep. Wright often played out of a slot but he can be a wide out when needed, which would be interesting. Given their speed, I just keep thinking a 3WR set with Simpson and Wright out wide and Harvin in the slot would be murder for a defense to cover.

[losperros]

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Chri ... 100412?t=2

Dang! Allen had a sore neck and now his groin is giving him difficulty, plus his sack totals are comparatively down.

Kind of a tough year for the guy so far. Allen needs a 3 sack game and he'll feel a lot better.

[dead_poet]

I'm not sure how I feel about this.

Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

Coach Leslie Frazier is "optimistic" that WLB Erin Henderson (concussion) will play versus the Titans this week.

Henderson finished a full practice Thursday for the first time since sustaining the concussion on Sept. 16. Even if Henderson does play this week, Jasper Brinkley will remain in Henderson's role in the middle of the nickel defense.
Source: vikings.com

[Mothman]

I'm not sure how I feel about this.

Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

Coach Leslie Frazier is "optimistic" that WLB Erin Henderson (concussion) will play versus the Titans this week.

Henderson finished a full practice Thursday for the first time since sustaining the concussion on Sept. 16. Even if Henderson does play this week, Jasper Brinkley will remain in Henderson's role in the middle of the nickel defense.
Source: vikings.com

I understand your mixed feelings but Brinkley's been pretty good in that role the past two weeks. I've seen no real drop off in the nickel since Henderson was injured. If anything, I'd say it's been a little better.

[dead_poet]

Erin Henderson should be fine to start in base on Sunday. Jasper Brinkley will remain nickel mike. #Vikings

Frazier said Christian Ponder, Michael Jenkins, Jared Allen all should be fine for Sunday. #Vikings

Vikings re-signed Tyler Holmes to practice squad, cut Ernest Owusu.

Tom Pelissero on Twitter

[Crax]

This is the first I've heard of this, but maybe it isn't injuries keeping wright inactive.

Tom Pelissero ‏@TomPelissero

I can tell you this: he's not exactly a good practice player. RT @cosmicatomic: @TomPelissero Why can't J.Wright get active on Sundays?

[Juice]

Tom Pelissero ‏@TomPelissero
Mild ankle sprain for Adrian Peterson. "He should be fine going forward."

Tom Pelissero ‏@TomPelissero
Jerome Simpson will undergo MRI. Still having lower-leg weakness. Might be related to back. Know more later in day. #Vikings

Tom Pelissero ‏@TomPelissero
Backups Marvin Mitchell (calf) and Andrew Sendejo (ankle) should be back at practice this week. #Vikings

[Juice]

Tom Pelissero ‏@TomPelissero
Frazier on Brinkley's role: "The way Jasper’s playing, it’s hard to take him off the field in nickel situations." Sounds like will stand pat

Tom Pelissero ‏@TomPelissero
Frazier said he didn't know anything was wrong with Jerome Simpson until head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman called him on Sunday morning.

[dead_poet]

Still getting the numbers, but it appears Michael Jenkins lined up more at tight end yesterday than John Carlson. #Vikings

Tom Pelissero on Twitter

[Mothman]

Tom Pelissero on Twitter

Carlson's looking more and more like he'll be a major disappointment. I wonder what the problem is...

[Eli]

Carlson's looking more and more like he'll be a major disappointment. I wonder what the problem is...

If you're not running two TE sets, and you have a player like Kyle Rudolph playing _every_ down (with good reason), then Carlson isn't going to get on the field. There may not be any problem.