Fantasy focus: Don't start Vikings' Percy Harvin even if he plays

The Vikings have not made a final decision on Percy Harvin's status for Sunday's game, but fantasy owners do not need to wait to make a call. Harvin's sprained

The Vikings have not made a final decision on Percy Harvin's status for Sunday's game, but fantasy owners do not need to wait to make a call. Harvin's sprained ankle is serious enough to diminish his speed, quickness and lateral motion. Without those, he's not the fantasy stud his owners drafted.

Harvin's injury was curiously reported as "sprained in three places," which is an accurate but misleading description. Harvin's sprain damaged three ligaments, but that is not uncommon because all three stabilize the ankle in the same direction. The terminology makes this sound as if it is a particularly serious sprain, but all three ligaments are minor sprains (Grade I or II), according to sources with knowledge of the injury. The fact that he hasn't been ruled out for Sunday means he's close to playing.

In Harvin's absence, Christian Ponder will likely lean even more heavily on Adrian Peterson, which is not a bad plan at all. When Ponder passes, Michael Jenkins will likely see an uptick in targets, while Jerome Simpson may be healthy enough to take up the WR2 role the Vikings envisioned for him initially. Harvin should be back by Week 11 and in a better position to contribute.