EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings will be without center Joe Berger again on Sunday, and they'll also have to play without safety Harrison Smith.
Berger, who sustained a concussion against the Detroit Lions and missed last Thursday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, was ruled out for the Vikings' game on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Smith will also miss the game with a sprained left ankle, and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd will miss his 12th game of the year with a knee injury.
The Vikings will likely start Anthony Harris in Smith's place on Sunday, while Nick Easton will get another start at center in Berger's place. Berger took part in the Vikings' light practice on Tuesday and was a limited participant in the team's first official practice of the week Wednesday. But Berger did not participate Thursday and Friday, and coach Mike Zimmer said Friday afternoon that Berger was still in the league's concussion protocol.
Harris, who started two games last year, hasn't started yet this season, but played the majority of the Vikings' safety snaps on Oct. 31 against the Chicago Bears, after rookie Jayron Kearse took a poor angle on Jordan Howard's 69-yard run in the first quarter. There's little doubt the Vikings will miss Smith's versatility, but defensive coordinator George Edwards said Thursday he expects the team will do similar things with Harris that it's done with Smith.
"Of course you’ve seen Harrison blitz," Edwards said. "You’ve seen him in the half field. You’ve seen him in the middle of the field. You’ve seen him down covering tight ends, matchup-wise. We’re going to do a lot of those things. We’re not going to change some of the criteria. It’s just about how much and how the matchups are from what teams are trying to do week to week."
Punt returner Marcus Sherels is questionable to play with a rib injury, and linebacker Edmond Robinson is questionable with a hamstring injury. If Sherels, who was limited in practice all week, is unable to play, wide receiver Adam Thielen could get another chance to return punts and make up for his costly fumble against the Cowboys.