Minnesota Vikings' Pat Williams runs risk of further damage to shoulder by playing Sunday

Minnesota Vikings' Pat Williams runs risk of further damage to shoulder by playing Sunday
January 1
St. Paul Pioneer Press
"Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid tried to be diplomatic Wednesday discussing the play of the Vikings' Fred Evans.

Filling in the past two games for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Pat Williams, who is sidelined with a broken bone in his shoulder, Evans has six tackles but no sacks, quarterback pressures or tackles for loss.

"The other kid has stepped in," Reid said of Evans. "He has done a very respectable job. He's a different kind of player. He's very quick, and he plays a different game, but he is also very effective. He's done a nice job for them."

Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

The Vikings' run defense is coming off its worst two-game stretch of the season, giving up 233 rushing yards, although it did face two of the league's best offenses. Still, the Vikings hope Williams will return for Sunday's playoff game.

Vikings coach Brad Childress said Williams is "progressing." Williams was limited in practice Wednesday. He participated in drills, including work against blocking dummies, and did some extra running.

"He's coming along," Childress said.

But Childress warned that Williams could do more damage to his injury, unlike the shoulder sprain defensive end Jared Allen played through earlier in the season. Allen had the most severe sprain possible, but he couldn't do more harm to the injury by playing.

That isn't the case with Williams.

"All these guys have a pretty good sense of 'no tomorrows,' " Childress said. "But by the same token, this is an injury that he could hurt more."

Receiver Bernard Berrian and right tackle Artis Hicks also were limited Wednesday.

Defensive end Ray Edwards is not expected to play Sunday after injuring his knee in the season finale. Childress said he has a "small chance" to play.

Brian Robison, who will start in place of Edwards, downplayed playing on the left side after primarily working as Allen's backup on the right side.

"I feel good. I feel confident going into this week," Robison said.

Signing irks Longwell: Ryan Longwell isn't thrilled about the possibility of former University of Wisconsin kicker Taylor Mehlhaff handling kickoffs next season.

The Vikings haven't an-nounced their intentions with Mehlhaff, who signed a two-year contract on Tuesday, but he might take over kickoffs next season.

One of the league's top field-goal kickers, Longwell, 34, wants to keep kicking off, believing it helps him convert three-pointers. "
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