MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings hadn't clinched a playoff spot by the time they had to submit inactives for Sunday night's game against the New York Giants. And the Vikings, it appears, are taking no chances.
Running back Adrian Peterson will start the game after returning from a sprained left ankle to practice on Friday, and safety Harrison Smith (hamstring/knee), linebacker Anthony Barr (knee/groin) and defensive tackle Linval Joseph (foot) are all active for the Vikings, who appear set up to play all of their starters against the Giants.
The Vikings would clinch a playoff spot if the Seattle Seahawks were able to come back against the St. Louis Rams, and with the Green Bay Packers trailing in Arizona, the Vikings will have a shot at the NFC North title next week at Lambeau Field, no matter what they do against the Giants on Sunday night. But Seattle was trailing the Rams, 23-10, at the time inactives were due, and that left coach Mike Zimmer no option but to play his starters.
The most interesting development with the Vikings' inactives turned out to be with wide receiver Charles Johnson, who was probable to play on Sunday night with an ankle injury. Johnson, who began the season as the starting split end, has seen his role dwindle with the emergence of Stefon Diggs, and he was put on the inactive list for Sunday's game. Unless Johnson's ankle injury took a turn for the worse, the move would suggest he's a healthy scratch, and a season that began with high hopes for the receiver has taken another curious turn. Johnson, who caught 31 passes last season and emerged as Teddy Bridgewater's favorite target late in the year, has just nine catches this season.
Here is the Vikings' full list of inactives:
WR Charles Johnson
DE Zach Moore