For a second consecutive day, cornerback Antoine Winfield was on the practice field during the period of practicewhen the media is allowed to watch practice.
As his fellow cornerbacks went through individual drills in the Vikings' indoor facility at Winter Park, Winfield was doing some running as athletic trainer Eric Sugarman looked on. Clearly this is the next step in Winfield's recovery from an injury to his right foot that sidelined him for the Vikings' two games before the bye week.
As coach Brad Childress said Monday, the Vikings simply want to get Winfield on the turf and see how his foot responds. This does not mean Winfield is going to play Sunday against the Lions and it would not be surprising to see him held out until the Nov. 22 game against Seattle.
Also, practice squad wide receiver Vinny Perretta returned after missing two practices (Monday and Wednesday) so he could tend to a family issue.
Finally, the Lions could be without starting linebackers Ernie Sims (hamstring) and Larry Foote (knee) on Sunday at the Metrodome. Both have yet to practice this week, according to Mlive.com .