Benny Sapp : Karl Paymah is eager to start at cornerback for injured Antoine Winfield

Author: admin

25 Oct

Vikings cornerback Karl Paymah sounds like a determined man.

Paymah is approaching Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh as if he’s going to start in place of Antoine Winfield, listed as doubtful with a sprained right foot.

Paymah has prepared all week to be ready for the game. He said he’s not worried about trying to make up for last week’s game against Baltimore. He just wants to execute this time, if he’s called upon.

“I’m here to make plays,” Paymah said. “I’m here to make plays on special teams, too. I’m definitely going to make way more plays on special teams, make way more plays on the ball, make more tackles, fly around, be physical.”

There are indications, however, that nickel back Benny Sapp may start at cornerback in place of Winfield. In nickel situations, Sapp would swing back to the slot and Paymah would replace him at left corner. The hope also is to get rookie Asher Allen, who hasn’t appeared in a game this season, some experience at some point in the game.

Allen would be thrown into the fire against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Allen said the cornerbacks rotated snaps with the first-team defense this week in practice. He saw equal snaps at nickel and on the outside.

The concern is that Paymah was torched against the Ravens, giving up several big plays, including a fourth-quarter touchdown that was part of Baltimore’s rally, after coming into the game as an injury replacement for Winfield early in the second quarter.

But now he has had a week to prepare and be physically and mentally ready for the Steelers game.

“My position is all about reacting to what you see,” Paymah said. “You feel more and more confident and comfortable when you see a certain play a certain number of times, and then when game time comes, it’s way more evident as far as recognizing sets, situations and motions because you’ve seen it before.”

Injury update: Winfield isn’t the only injury concern in the secondary. Starting free safety Madieu Williams is listed as questionable with a quadriceps injury. Reserve safety Husain Abdullah (back) and receiver Percy Harvin (shoulder) also are questionable.

Listed as probable are reserve safety Eric Frampton, starting right tackle Phil Loadholt and running back Adrian Peterson. They have ankle injuries. Receiver and punt returner Darius Reynaud (hamstring) is doubtful.

Rock out: Vikings punter Chris Kluwe was scheduled to perform in concert with his band, Tripping Icarus, Friday night at First Avenue in Minneapolis. It was a show to celebrate the band’s EP release.

The previous time Kluwe performed with his band leading up to a game, he had one of his best games of the season at Detroit. Coach Brad Childress told Kluwe he wants the same results at Pittsburgh.

Staff writer Sean Jensen contributed to this report.

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