Ben Goessling, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Greenway hopeful he'll play Sunday

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway returned to practice Friday after missing Wednesday's and Thursday's practices with a broken left hand.

While coach Mike Zimmer was playing it coy about Greenway's status for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, the linebacker sounded hopeful he'll be able to play.

"I felt good [in practice]," Greenway said. "It was good to practice and get some [work]."

Greenway has never missed a game in his career, starting 113 of 114 games since the Vikings drafted him in 2007. He played much of last season with a broken right wrist.

"I'm experienced, I think," he said, when asked Friday what it's like to play with an injured hand. He wouldn't discuss what kind of cast he would wear on Sunday if he's on the field but didn't seem to think the injury was something that would need to keep him off the field.

"[I need to] not let that be anything, other than we need to get out there and play," he said. "It's never going to be an excuse. Go play football, and just make it work."

Asked about Greenway's status for Sunday, Zimmer simply said, "We'll see."

Greenway was officially declared questionable for the game, as was linebacker Brandon Watts (knee) and wide receiver Rodney Smith (hamstring). Tight end Kyle Rudolph (abdomen), wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (chest), tackle Phil Loadholt (ankle), defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (shoulder), cornerback Xavier Rhodes (groin) and linebacker Michael Mauti (foot) are all probable.

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