by Sports Xchange

However, on Sunday the Vikings took Henderson off the field in one nickel situation and had Leber play the middle position. Greenway also came off in favor of Leber a couple of times, and in one case the Vikings went with three down linemen and had all three linebackers remain in the game.

Leber is certainly capable of playing in the nickel and proved it last season by taking over full-time when Henderson was lost early in the year because of a foot injury. Because the Vikings are so frequently in the nickel, they spent time during the bye looking for ways to get Leber more time.

They might not have completely solved the issue but it appears they took steps in that direction.

PLAYER NOTES

--DE Fred Evans returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday because of an illness.

--WR Bernard Berrian was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a hamstring injury.

--CB Karl Paymah was limited in practice Thursday because of an ankle injury. Paymah had practiced on Wednesday.

--CB Benny Sapp was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a groin injury.

--FB Naufahu Tahi was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of an ankle injury.

--CB Antoine Winfield was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a foot injury but he hopes to return Sunday after missing three games.

--QB Brett Favre was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a hip/groin issue that has bothered him since late October. Favre won't miss any time.

--LB E.J. Henderson is dealing with a knee issue but did not miss any practice time on Wednesday or Thursday.

GAME PLAN: The fact the Vikings offense has become far more balanced than it ever was previously under coach Brad Childress will again be a benefit.

Brett Favre will have the option of attacking the NFL's 22nd-ranked pass defense through the air, and yet with Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson always a threat, the Seahawks won't be able to let their guard down when it comes to defending the run.

Wide receiver Sidney Rice, who is having a breakout season with Favre as his quarterback, said he has noticed opposing defenses backing off in the box at times and guarding against the pass. That means Peterson could potentially have some more room to run, and when that happens he's extremely dangerous.

The Vikings are going to be tested in the passing game. Matt Hasselbeck likes to throw the ball and the Seahawks have attempted an NFL-high 370 passes this season. Minnesota could certainly use Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield to return from injury in this one.

Seattle is ranked 13th in the league, averaging 244.2 passing yards per game, and the Vikings are 23rd in pass defensive, surrendering 234.1 yards. The Seahawks are near the bottom of the league in rushing and given that the Vikings are still very good against the run this is probably going to become Hasselbeck's show when Seattle is on offense.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Vikings CB Antoine Winfield, who is expected to return from a three-game absence, vs. Seahawks WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who took the Seahawks free-agent offer over the Vikings this offseason. Winfield has not played since the second quarter of the Vikings' 33-31 victory over Baltimore on Oct. 18 because of a foot injury and could end up being matched up against Houshmandzadeh, who leads the Seahawks with 50 catches for 582 yards with three touchdowns this season. Houshmandzadeh has the size advantage over Winfield -- the receiver is 6-2, 203 pounds and the cornerback is 5-9, 180 pounds -- but Winfield's biggest nemesis will be battling the rust he might have from his absence.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, who is second in the NFL with 917 yards rushing this season, vs. Seahawks MLB David Hawthorne, who leads the Seahawks with 56 tackles. Hawthorne will need some help from up front in containing Peterson as the running back is coming off a 133-yard, two-touchdown performance and will be looking for a similar performance against a run defense that is 11th in the NFL this season (105 yards given up per game). Hawthorne had 11 tackles, his second-highest total of the season, in Seattle's 31-20 loss at Arizona last Sunday.

INJURY IMPACT: CB Antoine Winfield is optimistic he will be able to return after missing three-plus games because of a foot injury. Winfield said he will be smart and took part in portions of practice Wednesday. Benny Sapp, who has been one of the players who replaced Winfield, was limited because of a groin injury. WR Bernard Berrian continues to be slowed by a hamstring issue.