EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Vikings tight end Rhett Ellison missed practice for the second straight day on Thursday with a knee injury, and coach Leslie Frazier wasn't terribly optimistic Ellison would play Sunday.
"I think you have to approach it (like he won't play)," Frazier said. "He's gotten better, but we'll see how much he can do, or if he can do anything tomorrow."
Ellison has been the Vikings' primary blocking back for Adrian Peterson with Jerome Felton suspended for the first three games of the season, and if he's unable to play, the job would fall to rookie Zach Line, who was primarily a ball carrier in college and hadn't been a blocking back until he signed with the Vikings.
"He's done a good job in these first two games," Frazier said. "His snaps will probably go up a little bit because of Rhett's absence, but we've got some other ways we can get some things done. We'll see what happens with Rhett."
Linebacker Desmond Bishop, who could get more snaps on defense against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, could also see some action on special teams if Ellison is out. Bishop has been working on the Vikings' kickoff team this week, and either he or rookie Michael Mauti could play there against Cleveland.
Here is the rest of the Vikings' injury report:
Defensive tackle Fred Evans (shoulder), linebacker Erin Henderson (heel), safety Harrison Smith (shoulder), center John Sullivan (knee) and defensive tackle Kevin Williams (knee) were all limited participants for the second straight day.
Guard Brandon Fusco (shoulder), tackle Phil Loadholt (knee) and safety Mistral Raymond (shoulder) were full participants, but were listed on the injury report.