Simpson, Garcon inactive for Vikings-Redskins

Two of biggest speed receivers in the Vikings-Redskins game will be inactive Sunday at FedEx Field.

Vikings receiver Jerome Simpson was made inactive for Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins as he deals with a back issue that has caused leg and foot weakness the last week.

Simpson woke up with the back issue last Sunday morning and worked out before the Titans game to see if he could play. He made the start, but played in only 35 percent of the team’s offensive snaps.

Michael Jenkins will start in place of Simpson, but expect to see a lot of Devin Aromashodu, too.

Simpson tried to work out the issue this week, but Vikings coach Leslie Frazier acknowledged Friday that Simpson would be a weekend decision.

RB Adrian Peterson (ankle) and WR Percy Harvin (hamstring) are active and expected to make starts at their respective positions.

Simpson isn’t the only big-name receiver inactive in the game. The Redskins made Pierre Garcon inactive as he reportedly had a late-week setback with his foot injury.

Leonard Hankerson will start for Garcon, and Josh Morgan will start opposite him.

Also inactive for the Vikings are QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, WR Jarius Wright, CB Brandon Burton, S Mistral Raymond, LB Marvin Mitchell and OL Mark Asper. Even with Simpson inactive, Wright, a fourth-round draft pick, has yet to make the game-day 46-man active roster.

Also inactive for the Redskins are former Vikings CB Cedric Griffin (hamstring), S Brandon Meriweather, OL Josh LeRibeus QB Rex Grossman, OL Adam Gettis, DE Doug Worthington.

QB Robert Griffin III will start after suffering what was termed a “mild” concussion last Sunday.

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