Allen has some explaining to do

Vikings DE Jared Allen will be among the players visiting the NFL offices this week, as he explains his style of play that has generated multiple fines by the league.

Jared Allen left Tampa, Fla., on Sunday night with a sling on his right shoulder and a date with the NFL on Tuesday. Not exactly the way Allen envisioned or hoped things would go for him this week.

The Pro Bowl defensive end was in obvious pain on Sunday after the Vikings’ 19-13 loss against the Buccaneers. He has now played two games with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, and after the beating he took in Tampa it certainly appears to be taking its toll.

So is there a possibility Allen could sit out next Sunday’s game in Jacksonville? He might not have a choice. Fox Sports reported Sunday that Allen has been called to the NFL office in New York to explain a few of his recent hits on quarterbacks. There is a possibility he could face a suspension.

The NFL fined Allen $50,000 for two low hits on Houston quarterback Matt Schaub two weeks ago, and Allen was called for a roughing-the-passer penalty but received no fine after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers last week.

Allen told Fox Sports that the league wants him “to explain what (he’s) thinking when (he’s) trying to get after the quarterback.”

Vikings coach Brad Childress did not have much to say on the subject. “Those things are going to be between the league and who the league deals with,” Childress said. “So it’s difficult for me to comment on that.”

NOTES

Coach Brad Childress wasn’t pleased to see right tackle Ryan Cook continue to struggle with false-start penalties. Cook has had two in the past two games and also was beaten for a late sack against the Buccaneers. “You’re never happy with that,” Childress said. “False start. And obviously he’s got that card in his deck. He’s played it a few times. It’s not like we haven’t talked about it. But somewhere you’ve got to be able to control that.”

Defensive end Jared Allen on the loss to the Bucs: “It’s tough because we gave it away. Obviously, credit goes to them, but I don’t think they did enough to beat us. Turnovers killed us. ... We had chances to win the game, and we just didn’t capitalize on it. We’ve got to start finishing opponents off. We get stuck in these fistfights that come down to the last minute. That doesn’t need to be that way. We are capable going out and dominating a team, and it’s about time we start doing that.”

Quarterback Gus Frerotte is well aware of the fact his team remains in the thick of the division race. “The NFC North. Nobody wants to take it over,” he said. “We all just have to keep playing. That’s what we say. We have six games left, and we have to make it a six-game season. We have to regroup, come back and get ready to go and play another tough game in Florida (on Sunday against Jacksonville).”

LB Vinny Ciurciu suffered a hand injury against Tampa Bay, and his status will be clarified Wednesday. Ciurciu plays on all of the Vikings’ special teams units.

RB Adrian Peterson was used on a kickoff return late in Sunday’s game after Maurice Hicks fumbled a key return earlier in the fourth quarter.

WR Sidney Rice attempted a pass Sunday that fell incomplete. Rice was 2-for-2 for 94 yards on passing attempts last season. He has one of the strongest arms on the team.

WR Bobby Wade appeared to be fine after injuring his right knee early in Sunday’s game. Wade returned to catch a touchdown pass. Still, it would not be surprising to see him listed on the injury report this week.

TE Garrett Mills injured his ankle Sunday in his first game back after missing two games because of another ankle injury. It’s unclear if Mills suffered a new injury or aggravated the existing problem.