The Minnesota Vikings have signed veteran cornerback Frank Walker to help an injury-depleted position.
Walker was added to the roster Wednesday, and starting cornerback Cedric Griffin was placed on season-ending injured reserve after sustaining a significant injury to his right knee Monday against the New York Jets.
"Ultra competitive," Vikings coach Brad Childress said of Walker. "He ran very well and worked out very well for us here this morning."
Walker, 29, played in 14 games last season for the Baltimore Ravens, but he went unsigned until this week. He said the Vikings were the fifth team he has worked out for this fall.
"Some situations my agent didn't like, so he just told me to hold on," Walker said. "He liked this one."
Walker, considered a strong tackler, could see significant time on special teams, with Asher Allen and Lito Sheppard expected to play more at cornerback in Griffin's absence.
"This is a great opportunity to be a part of a good team," said Walker, who made his NFL debut with the New York Giants in 2003 and also spent one season with the Green Bay Packers.
Rookie cornerback Chris Cook's status also is in question this week because of a left knee injury, although he was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Cook missed Monday's game after surgery to repair a torn meniscus. He was hurt against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 26, but he didn't realize it until well into the team's bye week, and an MRI revealed the tear.
"I was just hoping it was, like, a bruise or something from the game, but I got the MRI, and it told the true story," Cook said.
Cook said he's pushing to be ready to play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, particularly with Griffin gone.
After trading backup Benny Sapp to the Miami Dolphins during preseason, the Vikings are short on healthy bodies at a critical spot. Allen and Sheppard are the only other available cornerbacks after reliable veteran Antoine Winfield. Marcus Sherels was signed to the practice squad.
Center John Sullivan also sat out Wednesday's practice because of his lingering calf injury. Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe was limited with a hamstring injury. Backup defensive end Brian Robison was limited because of a sprained ankle sustained against the Jets.
Wide receiver Sidney Rice, on the physically-unable-to-perform list following hip surgery in late August, said Wednesday he has gotten rid of his crutches and that he's "feeling pretty good" in his rehabilitation. He met Monday with his doctor in Colorado.
Although Rice said he's unsure exactly when he can resume running and other football-related activities, he was adamant that he won't need to be placed on injured reserve. Asked if the addition of Randy Moss allows him more time to recover, Rice said no.
"That means when I do get back, then teams are going to have some trouble," Rice said.
When asked about Rice, Childress said: "He was in some very rigorous rehab, playing Wii here this morning in the training room. Kind of a first phase; not a very good front-hand or back-hand, from what I observed.
"When we start equating Wii-reps with football reps, then I'll know the apocalypse is on us."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.