Vikings rookie RB Gerhart will enjoy his backup role

Putting on the Minnesota Vikings jersey after being picked by the team in the second round of 2010 NFL draft, rookie running back Toby Gerhart has adjusted himself to NFL career with a elite team full with big-name players. With Adrian Peterson being the No.1 running back of the team, Gerhart has a clear definition of his own role.

"Adrian is the guy," Gerhart said. "I'm going to embrace whatever role the Vikings have for me. Competition is always good. I'll push him and make him get better every day in practice, and I'll push myself. Hopefully, I can give him a break during games. Maybe we'll be in the backfield together. We could be a dangerous tandem."

By so far, it has been expected that Gerhart will replace Chester Taylor, who was signed away by the Chicago Bears during free agency, to be the No.2 running back behind Peterson. Compared to Taylor, who had an average of six carries per game in 2009 but 44 catches for 389 yards, Gerhart was originally believed to be able to catch, but he still managed to have 24 catches for 271 yards in his last two college seasons. As also a baseball player, Gerhart himself believes that he can catch the ball much better if he is given opportunities. Well, that is very likely to be proven during the preseason.

Falcons RB Norwood returned to practice and may play against Giants

The Atlanta Falcons running back Jerious Norwood practiced both on Thursday and Friday, a good sign for his playing status on this Sunday when the team will play against the New York Giants.

Norwood has missed the Falcons’ last four games with a hip flexor since he got injured during a Week 6 win over the Chicago Bears, and the team expects that the four-year veteran will be able to wear back his Falcons jersey and play by game time although he is still listed as questionable.

“I’ve been working pretty much every day this week trying to get the (hip) back to normal,” Norwood said. “The main thing is it gets tight a lot. As long as I get it loose, it feels pretty good.”

It is not likely that Norwood will start at his position, as Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game after missing all practices of this week because of a high ankle sprain.