Here are the things you need to know when the Detroit Lions plays against Minnesota at Ford Field on Sunday.

VIKINGS

Rookie QB Christian Ponder had a career-high 381 passing yards & three TDs last week. He’s aiming for third game in a row with a 90+ rating
RB Adrian Peterson has five 100-yard games in past eight against Detroit. Has also has eight rushing TDs in past eight meetings … Since entering the NFL in 2007, he leads all players with 6,654 rush yards & 63 rush TDs. Has nine TDs (eight rushing, one receiving) in his past six games and aims for seven in row with TD … Has 27 rushing TDs in past 25 games against division opponents.
WR-KR Percy Harvin aims for fourth game in a row with a TD. He has four receiving TDs in past three games and averages 41.3 yards per TD … In past three games, he has 22 catches for 324 yards (108 per game) and four TDs … Had a career-high 156 yards (eight catches) and two touchdowns last week. Is only player in NFL with rushing, receiving and a return TD in each of past 2 seasons
DE Jared Allen has 24.5 sacks in past 21 games, including 13 in past 10. Since entering NFL in 2004, he has an NFL-best 97.5 sacks … Had three sacks in previous meeting against Detroit.Has 9.5 sacks in eight career games against Detroit.
DE Brain Robinson had two sacks in previous game against Detroit.

LIONS

QB Matthew Stafford completed 32 of 46 (69.6 percent) for 378 yards with two TDs and no interceptions for a 108.8 rating in last meeting … Passed for 408 yards last week … Lions are 7-0 when he has 100+ rating.
WR Calvin Johnson leads NFC with 12 receiving TDS. Joins Hall of Famers Lance Alworth and Jerry Rice as only players 12-or-more receiving TDs three of their first five seasons … Since start of 2008, he has has 41 TD catches, most in NFL … Ties for NFC lead with 1,092 rec. yards and is first Lions WR 1,000-or-more receiving yards in three of first five seasons … Had seven catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns in last meeting.
TE Brandon Pettigrew had 11 catches for 112 yards in last meeting.
T Jeff Backus has started in 172 consecutive games, passing Hall of Famer Dick Le Beau (171) for longest streak in club history.
WR Nate Burleson arims for fifth game in a row with five-or-more receptions. He has 25 receptions in past four games.
DE Cliff Avril has five sacks and four forced fumbles this season.
DE Kyle Vanden Bosch had a sack in the previous meeting.

Read More: Lorenzo Booker (RB – MIN), Percy Harvin (WR – MIN), Toby Gerhart (RB – MIN), Christian Ponder (QB – MIN), Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will not play against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday after the team ruled him out following a Saturday morning walk through.

Peterson suffered a high ankle sprain last Sunday against the Oakland Raiders as early diagnosis of the injury revealed it wouldn’t keep the running back out for the season. Peterson spent much of the week out of practice and in a walking boot, hoping to heal enough to give it against Atlanta. But his doubtful status turned worse this morning when the team gathered for final game preparations.

With Peterson on the sidelines, bruising back Toby Gerhart will likely start in his place taking the bulk of the carries, while Percy Harvin and Lorenzo Booker will look to help replace the big play burst Peterson threatens opponents with by himself.

Quarterback Christian Ponder has a chance to raise his profile as a leader on offense, as the rookie will have to manage the team without leaning on Peterson to make plays to keep the ball moving.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been downgraded to out for Sunday’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced Saturday.

Peterson suffered a high ankle sprain during a Week 11 loss to the Oakland Raiders and was carted off the sideline during the second quarter of the game. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Monday that Peterson had suffered some ligament damage and that Friday would be an important day in the team’s evaluation of Peterson’s Week 12 status.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that Peterson was out of his walking boot but did not participate in Friday’s practice.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier was not optimistic that Peterson would be able to go, calling the running back “very, very doubtful.”

Peterson is sixth in the NFL in rushing with 872 yards. He’s tied with Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy with a league-leading 12 touchdowns.

Toby Gerhart, the 2009 Heisman Trophy runner-up in his senior season at Stanford, will start in Peterson’s absence. Frazier said Lorenzo Booker could also see some time at running back, and receiver Percy Harvin will continue to receive limited carries.

Safety Husain Abdullah (concussion) and right guard Anthony Herrera (left knee) have been declared out for Sunday’s game.

Tight end Kyle Rudolph missed practice all week with a quadriceps contusion and is listed as doubtful.

Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring) and receiver Percy Harvin (ribs) are listed as questionable after practicing on a limited basis Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read More: Visanthe Shiancoe (TE – MIN), Charlie Johnson (OT – MIN), Anthony Herrera (G – MIN), Husain Abdullah (S – MIN), Erin Henderson (LB – MIN), Percy Harvin (WR – MIN), Jamarca Sanford (S – MIN), Chris Cook (CB – MIN), Toby Gerhart (RB – MIN), Christian Ponder (QB – MIN), Christian Ballard (DT – MIN), Kyle Rudolph (TE – MIN), Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons, Nov 27, 2011 12:00 PM CST

The Vikings are likely going to be without their star running back Adrian Peterson this weekend against the Falcons after he suffered a high ankle injury last week. Toby Gerhart will be the starting running back should Peterson can’t go. Gerhart has 24 carries and 118 yards this season. 

Here’s the full Vikings injury report for Week 12.

DID NOT PARTICIPATE: Cornerback Chris Cook (not injury-related, out), safety Husain Abdullah (concussion, out), running back Adrian Peterson (ankle, doubtful), tight end Kyle Rudolph (quadriceps, doubtful).

LIMITED PARTICIPANTS: Guard Anthony Herrera (knee, out), wide receiver Percy Harvin (ribs, questionable), and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring, questionable).

FULL PARTICIPANTS: Linebacker Erin Henderson (hamstring, probable), defensive tackle Christian Ballard (hamstring, probable), offensive tackle Charlie Johnson (achilles, probable), saftey Jamarca Sanford (shoulder, probable), and quarterback Christian Ponder (knee, probable). 

For more on the Vikings, head to Daily Norseman. For more on the Falcons, visit The Falcoholic.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is doubtful for Sunday’s game at Atlanta because of a high ankle sprain.

Peterson hasn’t practised all week after hurting his left ankle last week against Oakland. He was carted off the sideline Sunday and X-rays were negative. An MRI on Monday showed a Grade-1 high ankle sprain, the least severe of the three categories, and he had been in a walking boot for three days this week.

“With the limited amount of things he was able to do today, very, very doubtful he would make it, though,” Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier said.

Peterson is sixth in the NFL in rushing with 872 yards. He’s tied with Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy with a league-leading 12 touchdowns.

Peterson was out of his walking boot on Thursday and did some pool work. He tested the ankle again Friday but couldn’t practice. He walked out to watch individual group drills at the Vikings’ facilities before walking off the field with head trainer Eric Sugarman.

“The trouble he had was when he got up on his toes to plant or make a cut, that’s where he had trouble,” Frazier said. “So, that being the case it’s doubtful he’ll be able to get to the point where by Sunday we felt like he would be able to get out there. But we’ll see. The fact that he can put pressure on that ankle, that’s a positive sign.

“He’s made progress, but being able to cut, as we all know, is a major part of what he does.”

At 2-8, Minnesota has little incentive to rush its franchise back to return. Peterson signed a US$100 million, seven-year contract extension during the pre-season.

Toby Gerhart, the 2009 Heisman Trophy runner-up in his senior season at Stanford, would start in Peterson’s absence. Frazier said Lorenzo Booker could also see some time at running back and receiver Percy Harvin will continue to receive limited carries.

Safety Husain Abdullah (concussion) and right guard Anthony Herrera (left knee) have been declared out for Sunday’s game.

Tight end Kyle Rudolph missed practice all week with a quadriceps contusion and is listed as doubtful.

Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring) and receiver Percy Harvin (ribs) are listed as questionable after practising on a limited basis Friday.