Harvin's Migraines Return, Vikings D-Line Banged Up Before NFC Title

NFL News - January 22nd, 2010 - Written by John

Minnesota Vikings star rookie Percy Harvin has been battling migraine headaches nearly all of his life, but they certainly couldn't be coming at a worse time.

As the Vikings prepare for the 2009 NFL Season NFC Championship, a game in which they will need plenty of firepower, Harvin was forced to miss practice Thursday. He was joined on the sidelines by tackle Kevin Williams and defensive end Ray Edwards, who were both resting sore knees.

Harvin won the NFL's Rookie of the Year after making an impact both on offense and special teams. He had 790 yards receiving, 1,156 returning (27.5 average) and had eight total touchdowns. His 101-yard kickoff return is the longest by a rookie in team history.

It's rather unsettling for half of Minnesota's front line to be skipping practice because it has been it's strongest unit on defense. Last week, the Vikings held the high-scoring Dallas Cowboys to just three points by getting good pressure on quarterback Tony Romo. For the day, they got six sacks and ten knockdowns, forcing Romo into fumbling three times and being intercepted once.

Edwards got 3 1/2 of those sacks, but suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee.

The injury is not believed to keep him out of Sunday's game against the Saints, but could hinder his preparation as Minnesota braces for the NFL's top-scoring offense.

Also limited in Minnesota's practice was wide receiver Bernard Berrian, guard Steven Hutchinson, linebacker Ben Leber and cornerback Antoine Winfield.