Erin Henderson Injury: Vikings LB expected to start Sunday

Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson is concussion-symptom free, and he will play on Oct. 7 when Minnesota hosts Tennessee in Week 5.

The Vikings (3-1) have been without its starting weakside linebacker the last two games after suffering a concussion in the team's Week 2 loss to Indianapolis. Despite his absence, the Vikings got victories over San Francisco and Detroit in that stretch. His return only benefits the NFC North-leading Vikings' chances of defeating the struggling Titans.

Minnesota's defense is allowing 18 points per game and 85.3 rushing yards - both statistics are seventh-best in the NFL heading into its fifth week. The Titans, who will start veteran Matt Hasselbeck over injured Jake Locker, have struggled offensively, averaging 20.3 points a game in their four games. That number is amplified by the 44 points they scored against Detroit, their only win of the season. Tennessee's defense is allowing a league-high 37.8 points per game.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT Sunday at Mall of America Field in Minneapolis.

Erin Henderson Injury: Vikings LB hopes to play this weekend

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson suffered a concussion during the team's Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and did not play in Week 3, but he hopes to get back on the field against the Detroit Lions.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier told the media on Thursday that Henderson has yet to pass all required concussion tests, but noted that the linebacker could still play if he is able to practice on Friday. Henderson sat out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

The 26-year-old defender has been credited with 22 tackles so far this season to go along with two sacks, so it would be a boost to the defense if he could return on Sunday. Henderson played in 15 games for the Vikings last season, recording 70 tackles and 1.5 sacks during that time. Marvin Mitchell -- who has been filling in for Henderson but is nursing an ankle injury -- had full participation in practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Vikings and Lions are set to clash at 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 30.

Erin Henderson Injury: Vikings LB still experiencing concussion symptoms

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson continues to sit out as he waits to pass the tests required following a head injury, as Tom Pelissero of 1500 ESPN reports. Henderson reported concussion symptoms to the team last Wednesday, and they've been monitoring his status ever since.

When asked about Henderson by reporters, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said:

That's what we're hoping. We've got to let him continue to go through the protocol, and we're hoping maybe we may get him (Thursday). Got my fingers crossed, hoping that'll be the case.

Henderson was initially signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008, but he finally had a breakout season in 2011 after three years primarily on the bench. Over 15 games last season, Henderson recorded 70 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, proving to be a very useful player in the middle of the field.

Early this season, Henderson appeared to be maintaining his breakout performance, recording 22 tackles and two sacks during his first two games of the year. If he can get back on the field and stay healthy, he could prove to be a key player for Minnesota.

49ers Vs. Vikings, NFL Inactives: Erin Henderson Out For Minnesota

The San Francisco 49ers will visit the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, and both teams will have seven players each on the inactive list for the game.

For the 49ers: WR Ted Ginn Jr., RB Brandon Jacobs, RB LaMichael James, WR A.J. Jenkins, G Joe Looney, QB Scott Tolzien, NT Ian Williams.

For the Vikings: G Mark Asper, QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, CB Robert Blanton, DB Brandon Burton, OLB Erin Henderson, DE D'Aundre Reed and WR Jarius Wright.

The Niners will now have Andy Lee back as the holder for field goals. Tolzien was active for the first time last week so he could hold. Jenkins and James, the Niners' first two picks in the draft, are still yet to play this season even though Jenkins was active in Week 1. Ginn being out means that Kyle Williams will continue to field punts and Kendall Hunter will take care of the kickoffs for the Niners.

The big loss for the Vikings is Henderson. Henderson wreaked havoc in the first two games of the season, with 22 total tackles and two sacks for the Vikings. Missing him on the defensive side of the ball, especially with the Vikings having to deal with Vernon Davis, is a big loss.

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Vikings Injury Report: Erin Henderson Out, Marvin Mitchell To Start

The Minnesota Vikings don't have a lot of injury problems at this early juncture of the season, but Friday's injury report did reveal one rather large issue that had already been expected. Starting linebacker Erin Henderson will miss this weekend's game against the San Francisco 49ers, giving Marvin Mitchell an opportunity to start.

Mitchell hasn't played this season yet due to injury issues of his own, but Vikings defensive coordinator Alan Williams believes he's ready to step in and fill the big shoes of Henderson:

"Marvin has been in ball games as a starter, he's been in ball games as a backup, he's played a lot of football so everything that happens is not new to him out there. That gives me comfort and when he's been in ball games, he's performed well so that gives me comfort that it's not all new to him and we're not playing guys that have not played a lot of football. Marvin has so I feel good about that."

Defensive end D'Aundre Reed was also listed as out on this week's final injury report while Rhett Ellison, Mitchell, Brian Robison, Andrew Sendejo and Jarius Wright are all listed as probable.

John Sullivan and Chris Cook both made appearances on the injury report throughout the week as well, but both are apparently 100 percent heading into this weekend's game.

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Vikings Injury Report: Erin Henderson Concussion Not Known About Until Wednesday

Erin Henderson hasn't practiced this week as the Minnesota Vikings have inserted Marvin Mitchell onto the first-team defense as the team gears up for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. There's no telling when Henderson will return from injury, however, because the Vikings aren't sure when it actually happened.

Henderson left last weekend's game with an apparent elbow injury, but there was no talk of a concussion suffered against the Indianapolis Colts until Wednesday's practice, according to head coach Leslie Frazier.

"Wednesday he came out to practice and just didn't feel right," said Frazier of Henderson, who leads the Vikings with 22 tackles and two sacks.

It's a tough injury for the Vikings considering Mitchell hasn't played this year due to injuries of his own, but the fact that Henderson may have played with a concussion is an even bigger cause for concern.

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Vikings Injury Report: Erin Henderson Still Out With Concussion

The concussion that Minnesota Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson suffered last Sunday against Indianapolis continues to keep him out of practice.

Henderson missed a second straight day of practice and if he's unable to play against the San Francisco 49ers this week, Marvin Mitchell would step in as the starting weakside linebacker.

Other defensive personnel sets would be affected by Henderson's absence, too. Though he was to blame for a touchdown pass to the Colts' Reggie Wayne, Henderson finished with 12 tackles and a sack, including three tackles for a loss.

Henderson has 22 tackles and three sacks in his first two games. He's a fifth-year pro out of Maryland.

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Vikings Injury Report: Erin Henderson Sits Out Practice With Concussion

The Minnesota Vikings released their injury report on Wednesday, as the Vikings get ready to play host to the San Francisco 49ers.

Linebacker Erin Henderson did not practice for the Vikings because of a concussion. Henderson left Sunday's game against the Colts, but did return to action. Still, if Henderson does indeed have a concussion, Minnesota may very well play it safe and hold him out of Week 3's contest against the 49ers.

Center John Sullivan was limited in his participating in practice because of an ankle injury.

Chris Cook (biceps), Rhett Ellison (ankle), Marvin Mitchell (ankle), Brian Robison (elbow), Andrew Sendejo (ankle), and Jarius Wright (ankle) were full participants, despite their injuries.

Wright, a rookie wide receiver, has been sidelined since Minnesota's preseason finale with an ankle sprain. If Wright does play on Sunday, he'll be making his NFL debut against one of the league's top defenses.

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Vikings Small Injuries Added Up On Sunday

The Minnesota Vikings suffered a number of minor injuries Sunday in their 23-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but none that will keep any player out for a significant period of time.

Wide receiver Percy Harvin dealt with cramping issues throughout Sunday's contest, leaving the game twice, however, returning both times. Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com writes that Harvin is not overly concerned about the issue.

"I got tackled kind of funny on my calf muscle, so it just kept flaring up," Harvin said. "So, drinking fluids, pickle juice, all that. I was able to finish the game. I'm fine."

Linebacker Erin Henderson had to leave the game temporarily with an apparent elbow injury. He did return to the game. Fullback Jerome Felton suffered a leg injury in the second quarter. He too returned to the game.

Safety Mistral Raymond missed much of the fourth quarter due to hydration problems. Dehydration has been a recurring issue for Raymond as cramps forced him to miss two games last season.

Defensive end Brian Robison also suffered an apparent arm injury in the fourth quarter.

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