Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said running back Adrian Peterson "is very close" to returning from a high left ankle sprain, while quarterback Christian Ponder has a hip pointer after taking a hard hit in the Week 13 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Frazier said the Vikings will have a better indication about the progress of Peterson, who has sat out the last two games, once they return to practice Wednesday. He also noted that Ponder's injury was the one the Vikings are "most concerned about" this week, before adding that trainers told him the rookie "should be fine" for this Sunday's game against Detroit.
"Christian was probably the guy who you were most concerned about, he has a hip pointer so we will have to see how he progresses as the week goes on," Frazier said. "He took a hard shot early in the game, and was able to finish the game, but it did inhibit some of his movement."
If Ponder is unable to play Sunday, backup Joe Webb will start against the Lions. Frazier said veteran backup Sage Rosenfels, who was signed last week after the release of Donovan McNabb, does not know the offense well enough to start.
Frazier said linebacker Chad Greenway hyperextended his elbow but should recover in time to play. Defensive end Brian Robison suffered a concussion Sunday, while tight end Visanthe Shiancoe has a hand injury. An X-ray exam, however, revealed that Shiancoe did not break his hand against the Broncos.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
