Vikings’ Williamses can still participate in offseason workouts

Local judge has already released his ruling on the case of Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams but it is still pending whether the league will carry out the four-game suspension with the two, but they are at least still eligible for team’s offseason program or training camp and even can play in preseason games.

There have quite a few other cases of suspended NFL players still able to take part in offseason workouts and play in preseason games. San Diego Chargers linebacker Stephen Cooper still took part in all team activities and preseason games although he was serving a four-game suspension for testing positive of banned stimulant in 2008; and recently Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger received a six-game suspension but is still allowed to attend any offseason activities as long as he completes behavioral evaluation. So it’s also possible for the Williamses to appear in their Vikings jerseys for preseason games.

If the Williamses are going to serve the four-game suspension, they will actually miss five weeks as the Vikings’ bye week is scheduled in Week 4. Without starting tackles for one quarter of the regular season, the Vikings may have to look for the qualified tackle on open market for replacement at the position during the first five weeks.

Vikings fans continue with their effort to retain Favre

Although the NFL scouting combine will begin this week in Indianapolis and a team may find a new star there, the Minnesota Vikings fan believe that quarterback Brett Favre should remain their star.

Vikings fans continue to take matters into their own hands in an attempt to persuade Favre to return to the team in 2010. Following the Vikings’ loss in the NFC Championship game, billboards were taken out in Hattiesburg urging the future Hall of Famer to make decision of wearing back Vikings jersey. This Monday, a full-page color ad was used on this day’s Hattiesburg Newspaper to continue persuading Favre to make decision.

According to 39-year-old Benjamin Nelms from Madison, Wisconsin, a Favre supporter, the ad is already paid for and cost him about twice as much as season tickets. But he surely consider it deserves- in the ad he thanks Favre for a great season and urges him to get healthy and return to the team in 2010.

After losing a game, Vikings will lose LB Henderson

Losing the season’s second game to the Arizona Cardinals is bad enough for the Minnesota Vikings, and bad things always come together: linebacker E.J. Henderson got a brutal injury to his leg and may not be able to play games in his
Vikings jersey for the remaining games.

Henderson fractured his femur while trying to tackle Cardinals running back Tim Hightower late in the fourth quarter and his leg twisted violently as he went down. Being taken off the field on a motorized cart after doctors spent several minutes attending to the star linebacker, Henderson did not return. His brother and teammate, Erin, held Henderson’s hand as they were driven to the locker room.

According to Vikings Coach Brad Childress, Henderson will undergo surgery in Phoenix, indicating the linebacker may be sidelined for longer than the time before season ends. As a key part of Minnesota’s defensive success this season, Henderson may have to leave his team earlier than other teammates again. His last season was also cut short because of injury.

Vikings RB Peterson was limited in practice with back injury

Because of back injury, the Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had to be limited in practice Wednesday, making his status for this Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers uncertain while a lot fans expect to see him in his vikings jersey.

Peterson was hurt during the Monday game against the Detroit Lions. Three days later, the team announced that the starting running back was placed onto the team’s injury report. Peterson has been the league’s leading rusher and rushed for 92 yards and made one touchdown during the game against the Lions.

On Wednesday’s workout, safety Madieu Williams was also limited with a shoulder injury. And linebackers Erin Henderson and E.J. Henderson did not practice at all. Erin missed because of a calf injury, and E.J., Erin’s brother, who is also the team’s leading tackler this season and had eight tackles in 27-13 win over the Lions on Sunday, missed because he had a shoulder injury.

Vikings coach Childress will be careful with Favre status to avoid fine

After the NFL recently fined the New York Jets and coach Eric Mangini for failure to list Brett Favre on the injury report last season with his throwing arm hurt, the Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress felt that it is necessary for him to be diligent with Favre’s injury status to avoid fine.

By so far, Favre has not been listed on the injury report although the quarterback recently said that he might have a cracked rib. And it is not strange at all for media to focus on how Childress will approach the report each week when it comes to the 39-year-old quarterback.

Childress said that he’d rather save the $25,000 for college tuition for his kids. And he has told Favre that he would not hesitate to put the quarterback on injury report if necessary.