Sidney Rice on the Injury Report; Berrian Could be #1 Receiver Come Sunday

The Viking receiving corps has been an unexpected strength all season, thanks largely to the arrival of Percy Harvin and the emergence of Sidney Rice (with an assist from that guy who wears #4 on his chest).

Now, however, the Vikings are facing the prospect of taking the field Sunday with their top two receivers both on the shelf, a circumstance that would transform a strength into a decided weakness.

We all know more than enough about the problems facing Percy Harvin.  He missed practice all last week due to migraines, then had to sit out the Cincinnati game.  We hoped he’d be better this week, but when the team took the practice field on Thursday…no Percy.

The good news on Harvin is that, on Friday, he was back at practice.  In spite of this, the Vikings’ Friday injury report lists Harvin as questionable.  Obviously, considering the nature of Harvin’s problem, pretty much every week will be a crapshoot as regards his status.

The loss of Harvin vs. Cincinnati was made easier to swallow because we still had Sidney Rice, who has become a 1,000-yard receiver and Pro Bowl candidate a year after nearly attaining bust status.  Unfortunately, Sidney too is experiencing an illness, has missed some practice this week, and is officially questionable for the Carolina game.

If Rice and Harvin are both unable to go, Sunday’s game will become a little reminder of 2008, when Bernard Berrian was our undisputed #1 receiver.  Of course, in ’08, we still had Bobby Wade as the #2.  Should Rice and Harvin sit, Greg Lewis would be our second receiver.

Now would be a good time to send Percy and Sidney any positive healing energies you might have the power to transmit.