Percy Harvin injury: Vikings WR a 'long shot' to play against Lions

The Minnesota Vikings are likely to be shorthanded when they host the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin suffered a badly sprained ankle in their road loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Harvin called himself a "long shot" to play, and told reporters he was in a lot of pain:

"I'm just going to go day by day. Like I said, I'm in a lot of pain. There's a lot of swelling right now. My whole ankle, all the way around, is swollen. So we've got a lot of work to do."

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier attempted to sound more optimistic about the chances their leading receiver suits up against Detroit, but ancknowledged that "it's too early to tell."

Harvin has been battling a strained right hamstring for the past three weeks, and sat out briefly during the Seattle game because of the injury. The wide reciever ended up hurting his ankle on a run in the third quarter.

Minnesota has its bye week after Detroit, which may increase the chances that they hold him out if Harvin's condition does not start to improve. The Lions are currently ½ game behind the Vikings for third place in the NFC North.