Winfield diagnosed with sprained foot

Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield had an MRI Monday that revealed a sprained foot, according to head coach Brad Childress. His availability for Sunday isn’t clear yet.

The Vikings learned Monday that Antoine Winfield has a sprained right foot and coach Brad Childress said it’s too early to tell if the Pro-Bowl cornerback will be able to play Sunday at Pittsburgh.

Winfield was injured in the second quarter of the Vikings’ 33-31 victory over Baltimore on Sunday and did not play in the second half. He underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed the extent of the injury.

“People heal so differently it’s hard to know,” Childress said. “I would have thought (Phil) Loadholt’s (sprained ankle) would have held him out longer than it held him out. Guys have different recuperative skills.”

The Vikings will be faced with an interesting situation if Winfield can’t go. Karl Paymah replaced him on Sunday but the Ravens had success going at Paymah. Paymah was signed primarily to play special teams and isn’t necessarily an every-down corner.

The Vikings’ third corner is Benny Sapp but he played in the nickel and if he moved to Winfield’s spot at left corner, a new nickel back would be needed.

That could be rookie Asher Allen, a third-round pick from Georgia. Allen has yet to be active for a game this season but he did compete for the nickel job in training camp.

NOTES

RB Adrian Peterson on Brett Favre’s ability to make the passing game a real threat in the offense: “I’ve been saying that all year. Having Brett here opens up a lot for us. I don’t know how many yards we had rushing but we probably doubled that in the pass game so it really makes our offense potent.”

Favre on if he watched Steve Hauschka’s 44-yard field-goal attempt that sailed wide left and preserved the Vikings victory: “I didn’t. I didn’t. When I looked up I saw the kicker go (Favre puts his hands in the air in disgust) and I thought that was a good sign. That was pretty awesome.”

LB Chad Greenway on the Ravens’ rallying from 17 down in the fourth quarter to take the lead before the Vikings drove for a late field goal: “I think Brett (Favre) said it best. You know that you’re not happy with the way you played — well, we were happy with the way we played for three quarters, but we gave up those points at the end — but we got the win, and in the NFL, the biggest thing is getting the win.”

CB Asher Allen, a third-round pick of the Vikings this month, has been inactive for all six games this season but figures to be up Sunday against Pittsburgh with Antoine Winfield battling a foot injury.

DT Letroy Guion was inactive for the third consecutive game Sunday after being up for the first three. Veteran Jimmy Kennedy has been active the past three games.

WR Percy Harvin re-injured his left shoulder on a fourth-quarter kickoff return Sunday and had his arm in a sling as he left the Metrodome. It’s unclear if Harvin will be able to play Sunday at Pittsburgh.

LB Erin Henderson wasn’t on the injury report last week for the first time this season but he was inactive for the sixth time.

WR Darius Reynaud has missed the past three games because of a hamstring injury and it’s unclear if he will return to the game-day actives when he is healthy because Jaymar Johnson has taken over as the primary punt-return man.