EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh was limited in practice on Thursday because of an injury to his left leg, but coach Leslie Frazier expects Walsh will be ready to play on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

"He was doing some kickoffs, and just felt a little bit of a twinge, so we just shut him down," Frazier said. "I think he'll be fine, based on what Eric Sugarman, our trainer, said. We just want to be smart."

The injury is to Walsh's plant leg, which could affect his mechanics (though obviously not as much as if it was his kicking leg). Frazier said the Vikings have a short list of kickers if necessary, but "we don't want to get to it."

In other Vikings practice news:

• Running back Adrian Peterson was away from the team on Thursday because of a personal matter, but Frazier said Peterson would be back on Friday. While Peterson was away, though, he was apparently eating a turkey sandwich in Sioux Falls, S.D.

• Wide receiver Joe Webb also missed practice because of an illness, but should be back on Friday.

• Cornerback Chris Cook (groin) was a limited participant, but said he's "pretty confident I'll be ready for Sunday."

• Safety Jamarca Sanford (hamstring), who also missed the Vikings' previous game, returned to full participation.

• Defensive tackle Kevin Williams and tight end Rhett Ellison were again limited with knee injuries.

• Lastly, quarterback Christian Ponder was limited with a fractured rib, though Ponder said he split snaps with Matt Cassel and is healthy enough to play on Sunday. It seems likely he will be the backup this week, with Cassel starting and Josh Freeman inactive for his first game with the team.