Rudd questionable

EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings could lose outside linebacker Dwayne Rudd but gain defensive end Bryce Paup and fullback Jim Kleinsasser for their game Thursday against the Detroit Lions.

Rudd underwent an MRI on Friday for a shoulder injury that coach Dennis Green said might be serious. Rudd also missed a game against Washington last season because of an injury to the same shoulder.

Lemanski Hall and Jim Nelson could replace Rudd if he is unable to play.

"We're pretty confident that if Dwayne is not ready to play we'll be able to make a good account of ourselves," Green said. "We could always go sign someone else. We could adjust somebody, too.

"We're always prepared to make another move. We've always been pretty good at that. We don't necessarily announce the move before we do it, because we don't think that's in the players' best interest."

Kleinsasser missed the Dallas game last Thursday because of a hamstring injury. Paup missed six games because of a fracture in his right knee.

"Bryce had a role on our team before he was injured," Green said. "He'll have a role now. We think under the right situation he can put a lot of pressure on the quarterback."

DAY OFF: Green gave the Vikings an unexpected day off Friday.

"They earned it," he said. "(The players) have a chance to get away from the coaches. They've played a lot of football. They've seen a lot of each other. (The coaches) get a lot of time to spend on the game plan. That was not the case last week. Now seemed like the time to do it."

Because the Vikings play next Thursday and are coming off a game last Thursday, they will practice Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.