Minnesota has been bracing for playing a stretch of games without the Williams Wall at some point this season. Now, they might have to deal with the loss of defensive end Jared Allen as well.
Allen's sprained right shoulder, revealed Monday by Vikings coach Brad Childress, could cause him to miss Sunday's game against Green Bay. Speaking to reporters at the Vikings' practice facility, Childress said there is a "concern" that Allen might not be ready to play.
"I don't know exactly what he will be able to do this week or if he will make it to next weekend," Childress added.
Childress is typically cautious with injury situations and reluctant to project game availability. For him to acknowledge concern about Allen's injury suggests this is not a mild ailment.
Allen had two sacks in Sunday's 28-21 victory over Houston. But Childress told Yahoo.com that Allen needed a pain-killing injection at halftime to finish the game.
If Allen can't play, second-year player Brian Robison would be his likely replacement. A fourth-round pick in 2007, Robison had 4.5 sacks as a rookie but doesn't have one in limited playing time this season.
Meanwhile, there is no indication that the Vikings will be without defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams this week. Both players reportedly are awaiting appeal after testing positive for a banned diuretic.
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Kevin Seifert
Seifert joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and daughter.