Vikings consider limiting Winfield's role
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings don't expect cornerback Antoine Winfield to be at full strength until the offseason.
NFC North blog
ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert writes about all things NFC North in his division blog.
• NFL Nation blog
• ESPNChicago Bears blog
Winfield missed six games with a foot injury, before returning with a standout performance against Cincinnati three weeks ago. The past two games were some of his worst, though. Winfield was beaten in coverage several times.
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said Thursday that a reduced role for Winfield is being considered. A healthy backup could be better suited to more extensive action given Winfield's health.
The Vikings hope to have defensive tackle Pat Williams back for Sunday's game against the Giants after missing the last one with an elbow injury. His backup Jimmy Kennedy has missed practice this week with a thumb injury.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE NFL HEADLINES
- Report: Hernandez questioned on homicide
- Pats' Gronkowski undergoes back surgery
- Gleason accepts fired radio DJs' apologies
- Johnson: 'I've learned my lesson' from jail
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
NFL WEEK 17 PREVIEW

PLAYOFF PICTURE
POWER RANKINGS
FINAL WORD
HOT READ: THE PRICE THEY PAY
PRO BOWL ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Analysis: AFC | NFC
- Rosters | Vikings, Colts dominate
- SportsNation: Vote AFC | Vote NFC
- Schefter: Snubs

- Surprises
STOCK WATCH: Fallers, risers
COLUMNS/BLOG POSTS
- Chadiha: Silver lining for Colts
- Williamson: AFC West coach watch
- Yasinskas: Falcons still on track
- Tip Sheet: Believe it or not, parity lives
- Tip Sheet Notes: Imagine Austin as a Jet

- Schefter 10 Spot: Dream matchups
- Jaws: Jets' Jones the key to the playoffs
- Walker: Are the Ravens one and done?
- Seifert: The value of momentum
- Kuharsky: Inside the award process
- Clayton's 1st and 10: Collision in Philly
- Mosley: A new approach for Romo
- Garber: Jets fans dreading failure
- Graham: AFC East mea culpa
- Sando: Manning favorite for MVP
- Clayton mailbag: Schaub now elite
- Fleming: Saints under observation
- Schefter: Broncos may fall short again

- Wickersham: The Lombardi Formula?
- Schefter: The year in review
- Reilly: An ode to Saint Drew
- Outsiders: Saints' playoff issues

- Pasquarelli: Bucs' Cadillac still running
- TMQ: Favre's history repeating itself
- Schefter: No guarantees for Jets
SCOUTS INC.
- Outsiders: Packers run woes done?
- Bowen: How to stop Adrian Peterson
- Schefter: What New York Jets will do at QB
- Kiper: The 5 best offseasons of 2013
- Offseason Grades: AFC | NFC | Kiper on draft

