Hutchinson gets lone Vikings honor

Guard Steve Hutchinson was the only Viking chosen for The Sporting News’ all-decade team.

Steve Hutchinson is no stranger to accolades for his on-field achievements, despite playing a position that most fans only hear about when a player does something wrong. He added a pretty significant honor to his growing list this week.

The Sporting News, a once-proud publication that has transformed from a weekly publication to a twice-monthly magazine that has become a clone of ESPN’s print publication, is celebrating the teams and players of the decade. Hutchinson was the only current Viking named to the All-Decade NFL team.

Although the Vikings had a few players that warranted consideration, Hutchinson was the only player selected. Former Viking Randy Moss was named as one of the two wide receivers on the All-Decade team.

While Adrian Peterson wasn’t around long enough to get named to the team, he did pull down a couple of honors of his own. A.P. was given the award for Best Performance for his 296-yard rushing game vs. San Diego in 2007 and was also named to the All-Decade Team for college football.

FRIDAY NOTES

Despite saying his inclusion on the injury report with a back problem was “no big deal,” Peterson was limited in practice Thursday for a second straight day.

E.J. Henderson, who missed Wednesday’s practice due to a shoulder injury, was limited but returned to practice Thursday. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said he doesn’t think the injury will prevent Henderson from playing Sunday against San Francisco.

Safety Madieu Williams (shoulder) was limited for a second straight day in practice. Jim Kleinsasser (hand) is still listed on the injury report, but hasn’t missed any practice time the last two weeks. Percy Harvin (illness) did not take part in Thursday’s practice. The final injury reports will be released later today with players listed as to their probability of playing Sunday.

49ers running back Frank Gore was limited in practice Thursday with an ankle injury, but proclaimed himself ready to go for Sunday.

The Vikings have agreed to new partnerships with Twin Cities-based Caribou Coffee and the Minnesota Army National Guard. The main difference fans will notice is 2,000 square-foot signs at Gate H and Gate F, along with Caribou coffee being offered in the stadium and at the pregame Party on the Plaza. Fans will also be able to check out official National Guard armored vehicles and meet some of Minnesota’s own soldiers at Gate H of the Metrodome before Sunday's game.

What a difference an injury to one player can make. The Packers will be without left tackle Chad Clifton until mid-October - good news for the Vikings, who play Green Bay next week - but the injury has affected three line positions. As a result of his injury, left guard Darryn Colledge has been shifted to left tackle, center Jason Spitz has moved to left guard and veteran backup Scott Wells will start at center. This can’t be good news for the Packers O-line, which got gouged by Cincinnati in an upset home loss last Sunday.

Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown got some laughs last Sunday when he wore a hockey mask during player introductions prior to last Sunday’s game with New Orleans. He isn’t laughing now, since the NFL hit him with a $10,000 fine for a uniform violation.

Former Viking Sean Salisbury is planning to sue the website Deadpin.com as well as CBS and ESPN for reporting on why he was fired at radio station 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, according to text messages that Deadspin claims are from Salisbury. Those text messages also claimed that Salisbury he will write a tell-all book about the inner workings at ESPN.