Teammate on Ratliff 'He was a great friend'
Outside linebacker Lamarr Houston wasn't sure what to make of the circumstances regarding the release last week of defensive lineman Jeremiah Ratliff.
The day before he was released, Ratliff's behavior, which included death threats, led the team to request assistance from the Lake Forest Police Department.
"He was just a man like everybody else," Houston said. "There was nothing to fear. He was a great teammate. He was a great friend. He was quiet. I never really noticed him being upset."
In the police report, Ratliff was quoted as saying he "felt like killing everyone in the building," at Halas Hall, which led to two days of police presence.
"It doesn't sound like him," Houston said. "I didn't know anything about that. It sounds like somebody is really scary. If you never did anything to anyone, why would you do anything like that?"
Houston said he had not spoken with Ratliff since he was released.
Linebacker backups:
Inside linebacker Shea McClellin did not practice Friday and is expected to miss his second straight game with a knee injury, although he is listed as "doubtful."
Undrafted rookie Jonathan Anderson and three-year veteran LaRoy Reynolds are again expected to split time in McClellin's spot. Anderson had an interception in Week 6 against the Lions and had a potential second pick overturned after replay review.
"He did some good things," defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "Came up with a tipped ball for an interception. Could have had another one with the same thing, a tipped ball."
The 6-foot-1, 231-pound Anderson was credited with 4 tackles in his NFL debut, but it wasn't all good.
"He missed some tackles on check-downs here and there that hurt us some," Fangio said. "Wasn't totally honed up on his perfect execution, which is to be expected, but you never want to see it. I thought he did OK, but a lot of room for improvement."
Other injuries:
Four players were listed as questionable after being limited in Friday's practice: center Hroniss Grasu (neck), safety Antrel Rolle, offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod (shoulder) and defensive lineman Bruce Gaston.
Three others were probable after limited practices: guards Matt Slauson (knee, shoulder) and Patrick Omameh (ankle) and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (non-injury).
If Grasu cannot play, Slauson will likely slide over to the middle, as he did in Week 4, when Will Montgomery suffered a season-ending fractured leg. Omameh would be the logical choice to again fill in for Slauson at guard, as he did during the Week Four shuffle.
The Vikings listed four players as "out," including starting defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and three backups: tight end Rhett Ellison, defensive end Justin Trattou and linebacker Audie Cole.
Running back Adrian Peterson (hip, finger, ankle) is probable after a limited practice.