Winfield Doubtful For Bears Game
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -- It looks like the Minnesota Vikings will be without their leader in the secondary for the second straight week.
Cornerback Antoine Winfield was listed as doubtful for the game Sunday night against Chicago, meaning it is likely he will miss the game because of a neck injury.
Winfield did not practice all week, but did do some sprints on Friday as he tries to work his way back. Coach Leslie Frazier said Winfield would have to show significant improvement by Saturday to be considered for the game.
That means the secondary will rely heavily on youngsters Chris Cook and Asher Allen to fill the void again. Both played very well last week in a 34-10 victory over Arizona last week, with Allen intercepting a pass and Cook helping to hold Larry Fitzgerald in check.
"With Antoine, you miss something from a tackling standpoint and leadership and all the intangibles he brings, but both Asher and Chris, they're showing they are really coming along, which is great for our team," Frazier said.
Cook said his confidence is growing every week in his second season. He missed most of his rookie year with knee troubles, but has benefited from staying healthy early this season.
"Right now I feel like it's at an all-time high, but it's definitely going to keep going up, especially with the support system I have behind me," Cook said of his confidence. "The guys on defense just make it fun and I just go out there and have fun and play fast."
Receiver Percy Harvin returned to practice on Friday after missing Thursday to rest his sore ribs. Harvin is listed as questionable for the game, but Frazier said he expects him to play.
Frazier also said Bernard Berrian has resumed his role in the receiving corps after being benched last week for disciplinary reasons. Berrian was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career last week, but both he and Frazier have said they consider the issue closed.
"Still view him as a starter," Frazier said. "Hoping he'll have a big game for us on Sunday night."
Berrian has just two catches for 37 yards in four games this season and hasn't been able to connect with Donovan McNabb on anything down the field. Devin Aromashodu is starting to show signs of being the big-play threat the Vikings passing offense needs, but Frazier said they are not giving up on Berrian yet.
"We still have him working in the rotation," Frazier said. "We're moving forward and we're counting on him to make some plays for us on Sunday."
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