By Joseph Gunther
(Credit, Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Xavier Rhodes had a breakout game against the Green Bay Packers, but left the game with a concussion. Now his status for the Minnesota Vikings Week Week 13 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Mall of America Field is yet to be determined.
The team is hopeful that both he and wide receiver Joe Webb will be cleared to play Sunday.
“We’re encouraged by some of the results we got (Tuesday) afternoon,” Frazier said Wednesday. “But there are still some things they have to go through (Wednesday), and if they can pass (Wednesday) we have a chance to maybe get them on the practice field (Thursday).”
Both were listed as non-participants in Thursday’s practice.
Rhodes had four tackles and a career-high four passes defensed in the tie with the Packers.
The Vikings added Kip Edwards to the team’s practice squad Tuesday. Edwards signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted rookie out of Missouri, but was cut in August. However, that does not exclude them from adding another before Sunday’s game.
“With the way we are health-wise, and where we’re at numbers-wise, you have to keep your options open,” Frazier also said Wednesday. “(Adding a player is) a possibility depending on what happens this week in practice. Right now, we have the numbers we need. So we’ll see. Barring an injury, we should be OK with the numbers that we do have.”
The Vikings currently have three completely healthy cornerbacks on the roster; Chris Cook, Shaun Prater and Marcus Sherels. Also, along with Edwards, Robert Steeples on the team’s practice squad roster. Steeples was signed to the practice squad in September after he was released by the St. Louis Rams.
If Webb is unable to pass the protocol in time, the Vikings have enough depth to cover for the loss of the big, athletic receiver. Greg Jennings, Cordarrelle Patterson, Jerome Simpson and Jarius Wright have been the main receivers, but undrafted rookie Rodney Smith could have the opportunity to make some plays. Smith is the biggest receiver on the team standing 6-foot-6-inches tall.
Webb is 10th on the Vikings with five catches for 33 yards. He has been mostly used on special teams this season.
The Complete injury Report
The Vikings listed running back Adrian Peterson (groin), Rhodes (concussion), cornerback Josh Robinson (chest), defensive end Brian Robison (illness), tight end Kyle Rudolph (foot) and Webb (concussion) as non-participants in Thursday’s practice.
The team listed defensive tackle Kevin Williams (quadriceps) as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice.
Running back Matt Asiata (shoulder), defensive tackle Fred Evans (knee), linebacker Chad Greenway (wrist) and safety Andrew Sendejo (foot) were listed as full participants in Thursday’s practice.
For more Vikings news and updates, visit Vikings Central.
Joseph Gunther is an avid fan of Minnesota sports, including football, hockey and baseball. He covered a wide variety of sports while attending Hastings College in Hastings, Neb. While at Hastings College, he was a part of the first collegiate media group to broadcast a national tournament via television, radio, internet and newspaper at the 2004 NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament. He grew up in the Twin Cities playing three years of varsity football in high school. Joseph is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
