Packers LB Zombo fully participates in practice; Walden limited

The Green Bay Packers' uncertainties at outside linebacker were on display Wednesday when they took the practice field for the first time since arriving in Dallas for Super Bowl XLV.

Frank Zombo, a rookie starter who has missed six games because of a knee injury, was a full participant in the session at Highland Park High School's indoor facility and hopes to play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Arlington, Texas.

Erik Walden, who replaced Zombo in the starting lineup but sustained an ankle injury in the NFC Championship Game victory over the Chicago Bears, was limited. He primarily worked out with the second-team defense.

"How Erik responds to this practice will be big," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "He practiced and took reps in every team drill. That was the high end of what we were going to try to give him today. It'll be great if he feels good tomorrow.

"Frank looks good. I wanted to get him as much padded work as possible. It seems like Dec. 12 is the last time he's been in pads. We even got him a bunch of reps on special teams, too."

Zombo, an undrafted rookie who broke into Green Bay's lineup in Week 8 after four linebackers went on injured reserve, returned to practice Friday. He suffered a sprained right knee during a Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Offensive tackle Chad Clifton (knees) and center Jason Spitz (calf) also were limited Wednesday.

Notes: McCarthy focused on the usual in Wednesday's practice: base packages, third-down situations and specific special-teams scenarios. "The guys are fresh, they're ready," McCarthy said. "I want to keep the risk for injury low leading up to the game, which is why we shortened some things today. But it was good to get back in pads. The guys were flying around; they were banging pretty good. I feel very good about the quality of work, particularly up front. I did not put the pads on them last week because we were coming off a situation where we had played five must-win games in a row, and our linemen were beat up. I wanted to make sure I gave them a chance to get back, and it definitely paid off today." ... Kicker Mason Crosby and punter Tim Masthay worked out at Cowboys Stadium before Wednesday's practice and could do so again.

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Harvin 'extremely limited' in practice, has words with Childress

Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin is listed as questionable for Sunday's home game against the Arizona Cardinals, leaving Minnesota with just three healthy receivers.

Harvin sprained his left ankle last weekend against the New England Patriots, but he remained in the game and finished with five catches for 65 yards. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday. Vikings coach Brad Childress said Harvin practiced "on an extremely limited" basis Friday.

Harvin, who also has played after battling migraine headaches, was unavailable for comment Friday.

"You know, he's a tough guy. Let's face it," Childress said. "He injured that foot on his first catch of the game and still was very productive. I would just say that he's tough. Different things respond different ways. Everything goes through your foot and your ankle, so he's got to have his faculties for the game the way he plays it."

Despite that praise, the Star Tribune reported Friday that Harvin and Childress got into a heated argument when the coach questioned the receiver's effort during the practice.

Receiver Sidney Rice came off the physically unable to perform list Wednesday, but Childress said playing next week at Chicago is a "more viable" scenario.

That leaves Brett Favre with just three healthy receivers -- Greg Camarillo, Greg Lewis and Bernard Berrian -- after the Vikings released Randy Moss on Monday. Favre has 10 stitches in his chin and was limited this week with ankle and elbow injuries, but he was listed as probable and is expected to make his 293rd consecutive regular-season start Sunday.

The only other Vikings player listed as questionable is cornerback Frank Walker with a hamstring injury.

The decision to cut Moss, and the way it was handled, has made it another difficult week in Minnesota. Owner Zygi Wilf was in town and spoke to several players, and Childress was short when asked if he still feels he has the support of ownership.

"My sense doesn't make any difference," Childress said. "You'd have to speak to him on that. We've always communicated very well, and I haven't seen any change on that."

Wilf has declined repeated interview requests. The Vikings (2-5) are off to a surprisingly poor start in a year in which they expected to contend for a Super Bowl, and the struggles have not helped Wilf in his pursuit of public funding for a new stadium.

Many fans are upset with Childress. If the team gets off to a slow start against the Cardinals (3-4), he could hear them voice their displeasure.

"I'm not crazy enough to think there won't be catcalls," Childress said. "That's part of the deal. That's every time I walk on and off a field. It's always interesting to hear what the people have to say. That's part of the audience participation thing."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Vikings WR Harvin limited in practice with hamstring injury

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin has a hamstring injury.

Harvin was added to the injury report Thursday and listed as a limited participant in practice. Harvin returned a kickoff for a touchdown in last weekend's victory over the Dallas Cowboys, and afterward he called himself as healthy as he's felt all season.

Tight end Jim Kleinsasser took part in some of Thursday's practice, and Vikings coach Brad Childress said he doesn't believes "there's any doubt he'll play" this Sunday at Green Bay. Kleinsasser has a groin injury.

Starting safety Husain Abdullah sat out again, recovering from a concussion. Cornerback Chris Cook was limited in practice, but Childress said the rookie moved around better than the previous day. Cook is recovering from a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Favre limited by sore throwing elbow at Vikings practice

Quarterback Brett Favre returned to practice for the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, one day after sitting out to rest his sore right elbow.

Woodson: Vikings should bench Favre "If Favre is playing poorly and not giving the team a chance to win, then why play him? Even if it is Favre. Looking at (Tarvaris) Jackson, if he plays, he's 100 percent healthy and is making more plays with his feet."
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Favre has been bothered by tendinitis in his throwing elbow and said earlier this week that he would consider sitting out a game or two to rest it if the condition worsens. Favre has started an NFL-record 289 consecutive regular-season games.

"All the times that I've been with him, he's never missed one (start)," said Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who was Favre's quarterbacks coach with the Green Bay Packers. "It's hard to imagine, but he wants to do what's best for the team. We want to do what's best for the team. Could it happen? Yeah, it could happen, but ... it's hard to see."

Bevell said a decision on Favre's status for Sunday's meeting with the Dallas Cowboys "could go up to game time." But if Favre does play, his arm trouble won't affect Bevell's play-calling.

"If a guy's going to play, you've got to play it the way that you're going to play it. You're not going to be able to hide the quarterback," Bevell said. "If he's got to make the throws, he's got to make the throws. If he can't make them, then you've got to put someone else in there who's going to make them.

Favre's injury might mean more carries for the Vikings' running backs -- which is just fine with Adrian Peterson.

"If that's the approach we take, then I'm all in for it," said Peterson, who has 480 rushing yards in four games this season. "I'll be ready to do my part. That's the mindset we come into every game, making sure we establish the run game."

Center John Sullivan also returned to practice for Minnesota after missing Wednesday with a calf injury. Sullivan didn't play against the New York Jets on Monday night.

Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, safeties Madieu Williams and Jamarca Sanford, defensive lineman Brian Robison and cornerback Chris Cook also were limited in practice Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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