Vikings WR Percy Harvin isn't happy about being on IR or the way he was told. (US Presswire) |
Before Friday’s practice, Vikings defensive linemen Fred Evans and Everson Griffen treated the rest of the team to a short breakdance competition at midfield. Griffen showed his moves and then Evans did the same, ending the completion with head stand twist that brought roars from the players.
“Those guys have been doing a lot of talking about who’s the best dancer, so they players got them to put up or shut up,” coach Leslie Frazier said of the competition.
Frazier was more than happy to offer up a little practice time for the event, saying that is very important for the team to stay loose at this point of the season.
“You don’t want the guys to go into the game tight or tense because of the circumstances” he said. “You really want to go out there and play with great confidence and not be all wound tight. They are not wound tight. That is definitely true.”
Asked who won, Frazier said: “Well, I would have to say that I think Fred Evans got him there. He surprised everybody, some pretty good moves. Impressive.”
Harvin and Frazier had words: A report by 1500ESPN surfaced on Thursday that when the Vikings placed WR Percy Harvin on injured reserve for his sprained ankle that he had a heated argument with Frazier. According to the report, Frazier already had been in talks with Harvin’s representatives about putting him on IR before the exchange between player and coach.
Frazier did not comment about the argument with Harvin when asked about it on Friday, but he did say that he and Harvin have a good relationship.
“I think we have a good relationship,” Frazier said. “He’s injured and on injured reserve and doing everything he can to hopefully get back and help our team. He’s still under contract so, like everybody he’s pulling for our team to have success against the Texans this weekend. And I think we have a good relationship.”
Asked if he has spoken with Harvin since he was put on IR, Frazier said that he had spoken with Harvin’s dad a few days ago and that “[Percy] is doing fine.”
Injury report: CB Chris Cook (forearm) took reps with the first string defense at Friday’s practice, and looks good to get plenty of playing time on Sunday against the Texans, according to Frazier.
“Chris Cook did a pretty good job,” said Frazier. “We’ll make a decision on him [after practice]. He’s far enough along that we’re going to for sure play him; it’s just a matter of how much we’ll play him.”
DE Brian Robison worked out at practice despite being less than a week removed from a Grade 3 sprain of the AC joint in his shoulder. Frazier was encouraged by what he saw from Robison.
“Brian did some things; we took him through some practice and he feels better,” said Frazier. “We’ll talk a little bit more how we want to proceed with him, but he did enough practice that he creates some encouragement amongst our staff and his teammates as well. We’ll have to see how he feels [Saturday] after going through some of the things we put him through [Friday].”
LT Matt Kalil returned to practice after being out all week with a stomach illness. Frazier said he was feeling better and that his position coach Jeff Davidson spent time with Kalil at home doing some film work to keep him caught up mentally.
RB Adrian Peterson returned to practice and “he did a good job and went through everything in practice, so he should be fine for Sunday,” according to Frazier.
CB Antoine Winfield was limited in his reps at practice with a sore knee. The coaches have been limiting him all season to keep him fresh for the stretch run.
LS Cullen Loeffler was back at practice on Friday. He was sick on Thursday and went home, saying he didn't want to spread his illness around.
Robison is listed as questionable for the Texans. Kalil, Peterson, Winfield, DE Jared Allen (shoulder), P Chris Kluwe (left knee, groin), RT Phil Loadholt (knee), S Mistral Raymond (ankle), Griffen (elbow), CB Marcus Sherels (elbow, quadricep) are listed as probable.
For more Vikings news and notes, follow Joe Oberle on Twitter @CBSVikings and @joeoberle.