| Percy Harvin has been practicing despite a sore hamstring. But he was excused from practice Thursday because of a personal matter. (US Presswire) |
If there is a player the Vikings can’t afford to be missing on Sunday against the Seahawks, it is WR Percy Harvin. After being listed as limited for practice Wednesday with a hamstring issue, Harvin was missing from Thursday’s practice. But Leslie Frazier said it was due to personal matter with Harvin's family.
“I expect him back tomorrow (Friday),” Frazier said.
Frazier said Harvin was still in town trying to get more details about the issue. He planned to speak with Harvin to find out if the matter will require him to go home to Virginia.
Frazier said Harvin was moving pretty well at Wednesday’s practice, despite a tight hamstring (that is a lingering injury from the Washington game), and he was able to participate in all the drills.
Asked whether he was thought Harvin would be available for Sunday, Frazier said that he was “pretty convinced, but we’ll see.”
If not, Frazier said rookie WR Jarius Wright, would be part of the equation.
Mistral Raymond to return: S Mistral Raymond has been practicing all week, trying to get back on the field from the bone bruise on his ankle suffered against San Francisco in Week 3. Raymond has missed five games with the injury, and the team would like to get him back.
“He’s beginning to move with a lot less concern it seems,” said Frazier. “I think he is moving a little more free. He’s still moving gingerly in some cuts. But much better every day, hopefully he will be better [Friday].”
Frazier said he wanted to see Raymond in another practice before determining if he would return to his starting spot or Jamarca Sanford would start for the sixth-straight game.
“Partially, [his conditioning] and just making sure he has the confidence in being able to do all the things he has to do to play his position,” said Frazier. “Cutting without thinking about it. Stopping and starting.”
On Christian Ponder’s progress: OC Bill Musgrave spoke to the media this week and had the following to say about this Ponder, who has struggled in the passing game the past few weeks:
"I think it’s part of the process,” said Musgrave. “We’ve got a young quarterback who is in the developmental stage and he’s done some outstanding things through the first half of our regular season. We’ve also done some not so outstanding things as well, as an offense and him personally. He’s going to work through it. We’re going to work through it as an offense and try to be more consistent in the accuracy department.”
Injury report: TE John Carlson still has not cleared the concussion protocol. Frazier doesn’t feel he will be able to make it back for the trip to Seattle on Saturday.
“Not at this point,” he said. “With one day of work it would probably be tough.”
CB Antoine Winfield (knee) and RB Adrian Peterson (ankle) both were limited at practice.
DL Fred Evans (knee), DT Letroy Guion (ribs), LB Erin Henderson (elbow), P/H Chris Kluwe (left knee) and Christian Ponder (knee) all had full participation at practice.
For more Vikings news and notes, follow Joe Oberle on Twitter @CBSVikings and @joeoberle.