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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway returned to the practice field for the first time since he broke three ribs in the team's Sept. 21 game against the New Orleans Saints, and coach Mike Zimmer said the Vikings would make a decision on Saturday about whether Greenway could play on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings officially listed Greenway as doubtful for Sunday's game. If Greenway did return from a two-game absence on Sunday, it would be in a situational role, not as an every-down player, Zimmer said. That would likely put Gerald Hodges in line to start a third consecutive game at weakside linebacker. Greenway said his ribs are continuing to feel better, and Zimmer said this week that Greenway's broken hand isn't a major concern at this point, but for a player who rarely, if ever, comes off the field when he's healthy, it will probably take a little more time to return to such a major role. "The pain is in the breathing," Greenway said. "I just haven't done anything to push myself for a couple weeks, so that was the worst (part). I've been feeling really good, and better and better every day." Safety Harrison Smith was able to do more in practice on Friday than he was Thursday, and still is in line to play on Sunday after spraining his ankle on Oct. 2 against Green Bay. The Vikings officially listed Smith as questionable. "I'm a little bit surprised (at how quick I've recovered)," Smith said. "You always think you're going to heal fast as an athlete -- you think you're going to wake up tomorrow, and it's going to be fine. That's kind of what you expect, even though it's kind of insane. That's just how we think. Right now, it's stable. As long as it's stable and I can play, that's the goal." Receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (hip) and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (elbow) participated in full on Friday. Both are probable for Sunday's game. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (ankle), linebacker Michael Mauti (foot), running back Jerick McKinnon (ankle) and running back Matt Asiata (groin) are also probable.
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