EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — All signs are pointing to Sidney Rice returning to the Vikings this Sunday. He will probably have to, if he wants to play at all this season.
The running mystery about Rice’s status is down to the final days, three months after he had hip surgery. Vikings coach Brad Childress said Friday if the receiver is not activated from the physically unable to perform list for Sunday’s game against Green Bay, Rice will likely be placed on injured reserve and be done for 2010.
Rice told an ESPN reporter he plans to play Sunday.
Childress said Rice’s soreness is “not as bad as last week” and that the determination on his status will be made after today’s practice.
Footnotes.
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu returned to practice after sitting out two days with an Achilles tendon injury and is probable for Sunday’s game against the Raiders.
• Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery was ruled out Sunday’s game against the Texans because of a groin injury.
• Ravens guard Chris Chester has been hospitalized because of a skin infection and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.
• Tampa Bay’s Mike Williams did not practice after his arrest on a DUI charge early Friday, but coach Raheem Morris said the rookie who leads the Buccaneers in receiving will play Sunday against the 49ers.
• Raiders tight end Zach Miller said he will play Sunday against Pittsburgh despite an injured foot.
• Browns receiver Joshua Cribbs, who dislocated three toes on his right foot in last week’s overtime loss to the Jets, did not practice, but has not been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars.
