EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings will be without one of their top three receivers on Sunday in Denver. It's possible they could play without another one.
The team listed Charles Johnson as out for Sunday's game with a rib injury, while Jarius Wright is questionable with a hand injury. Wright said he'll be a game-time decision on Sunday afternoon.
Wright was limited in practice on Friday, after sitting out on Wednesday and Thursday. He said he initially hurt his right hand on a catch but was able to stay in the game and keep catching passes after the injury. Wright, who didn't think anything was broken, had his hand and wrist taped up on Friday. He said he had not received a definite diagnosis but added "I'm sure they'd tell me" if something was broken. He said he was optimistic he'd play on Sunday. "I'm going to work and train and watch film as if I was playing," Wright said.
With Johnson out and Wright's status uncertain for Sunday, there could be more opportunities for the rest of the Vikings' receivers: Adam Thielen, Cordarrelle Patterson and Stefon Diggs. Zimmer said Diggs -- the fifth-round pick out of Maryland who led the Vikings in catches and receiving yards during the preseason -- got more work in practice this week than he has so far this season. And Patterson, who was on the field for 14 snaps last week, could have an opportunity this week, Zimmer said.
"I think he’s been doing a good job all along [this season],” Zimmer said. “He just has to go out there and do it. There may be some opportunities for his this week. We’ll see.”
Patterson has one catch for one yard this season and carried the ball on a jet sweep two weeks ago for nine yards. His drop-off from his impressive rookie season, in which Patterson scored seven rushing and receiving touchdowns, is well-documented, and Patterson has effectively been the fifth receiver on the Vikings' depth chart since training camp, with Thielen -- an undrafted free agent from Division II Minnesota State Mankato -- moving past him.
"I don't know how much more I have to prove," Patterson said. "Each and every day, I'm trying to get better. My time is going to come, and I've just got to be ready; don't slip up and do anything stupid. Just go out there and take full advantage of it."
The Vikings also ruled defensive lineman Justin Trattou (foot), safety Andrew Sendejo (knee) and cornerback Jabari Price (shoulder) out for Sunday, and listed linebacker Audie Cole as questionable with an ankle injury. Sendejo's absence means Robert Blanton is likely to start at safety for the second time this season.