Minnesota Vikings Strategy and Personnel

Having lost middle linebacker E.J. Henderson for the remainder of the season because of a broken leg, the Vikings will turn to rookie Jasper Brinkley to take over at that position. Brinkley will have plenty of responsibilities, including getting teammates lined up properly at times.

However, it's expected that veteran outside linebacker Ben Leber will shift to the middle on passing downs when the Vikings use their nickel package. Henderson and Chad Greenway had been staying on the field in those situations but now it likely will be Leber and Greenway.

Brinkley, who is an extremely hard-hitter, is more adapt at playing against the run at this point.



PLAYER NOTES

--WR Percy Harvin did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because of a recurrence of a migraine headache. Harvin has dealt with migraines since he was a kid and has had a few flare-ups this season.

--S Tyrell Johnson did not practice for a second consecutive day because of a concussion suffered last Sunday at Arizona and it would not be surprising to see him held out of a game.

--RB Adrian Peterson was limited in practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday because of foot and ankle issues. He is expected to play Sunday.

--RT Phil Loadholt was limited Thursday after sitting out Wednesday because of what is believed to be a dislocated right shoulder suffered last Sunday at Arizona.

--CB Cedric Griffin (neck) was limited Wednesday and Thursday in practice.

--LG Steve Hutchinson (shoulder) was also limited Wednesday and Thursday.

--LT Bryant McKinnie (ankle) was limited Wednesday and Thursday.

--TE Visanthe Shiancoe (ribs) was limited Wednesday and Thursday.

--NT Pat Williams (foot) was limited Wednesday and Thursday.

--CB Antoine Winfield (foot) was limited Wednesday and Thursday.

--WR Bernard Berrian (hamstring) was limited Wednesday and Thursday.

--RG Anthony Herrera (concussion) was limited Wednesday and Thursday.

--CB Karl Paymah (knee) was limited Wednesday and Thursday.

--TE Garrett Mills was promoted from the practice squad to take E.J. Henderson's place on the 53-man roster.

--LB J Leman was signed to the practice squad.

--OT Drew Radovich was signed to the practice squad.

--CB DeAndre Wright was released from the practice squad.

GAME PLAN: Coming off a game in which Adrian Peterson gained only 19 yards on 13 carries versus Arizona, the Pro Bowl running back will get another big test this Sunday against Cincinnati.

The Bengals are ranked second in the league in run defense, surrendering only 81.8 yards per game. It should be to the Vikings' advantage that defensive tackle Domata Peko will miss this game for the Bengals after having arthroscopic knee surgery.

The Vikings will look to be far more balanced in this game after Brett Favre attempted 45 passes and Minnesota had only 20 running plays en route to an embarrassing 30-17 loss to Arizona in which coach Brad Childress was forced to throw the ball far more than he probably wanted.

The interesting thing is the Vikings are becoming more of a passing team than they likely ever planned, even with Favre, and their real bread-and-butter is being able to run the ball. Minnesota is ninth in the league in passing and 11th in rushing.

This is an interesting game for the Vikings' defense because the Bengals have become a very good running team behind Cedric Benson. Cincinnati is sixth in the league in rushing but the Vikings are third so this should be a strength-vs.-strength situation.

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner had plenty of success passing the ball against the Vikings but Arizona has far more ability to throw multiple-receiver looks on the field than the Bengals do.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Vikings CB Cedric Griffin, who leads the team with three interceptions, vs. Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco, who leads Cincinnati with 62 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns. Much of the Bengals' success has come in running the ball, but quarterback Carson Palmer might want to try to stretch the field by looking for Ochocinco at times. He likely will be matched up on occasion against Griffin and could have some opportunities against whoever starts at left corner for the Vikings. Veteran Antoine Winfield has missed the past six games because of a foot injury and it remains unclear when he will be back. Griffin had an outstanding game two weeks ago against Chicago but struggled last Sunday versus Arizona.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, who is third in the NFL with 1,103 yards rushing, vs. Bengals MLB Dhani Jones, who leads Cincinnati with 80 tackles this season. Peterson, who did not practice Wednesday because of foot and ankle issues, had the second-worst rushing game of his career last Sunday, gaining only 19 yards on 13 carries but that isn't necessarily good news for the Bengals. Cincinnati has been very strong against the run, but with defensive tackle Domata Peko out because of an injury, Jones and the other linebackers are going to have to play a big role in slowing Peterson if that success is going to continue.

INJURY IMPACT: Every member of the Vikings offensive line is on the injury report except for center John Sullivan. This includes right tackle Phil Loadholt, who played much of Sunday's game against Arizona despite a dislocated right shoulder. Right guard Anthony Herrera has missed the past two games but expects to return against Cincinnati this weekend. Safety Tyrell Johnson could be replaced by rookie Jamarca Sanford after suffering a concussion against the Cardinals. Running back Adrian Peterson has foot and ankle issues but likely will be able to play.