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Associated Press

Posted on: Saturday, January 23, 2010

Vikings' Harvin might miss game

 • Jets rookie a natural

Minnesota's Percy Harvin, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, is questionable for the NFC championship game tomorrow in New Orleans.

Harvin missed his second straight practice yesterday because of migraine headaches, a problem he's had most of his life and cost him one game this season. He has been invaluable to the Vikings as a wide receiver, kickoff returner and even occasionally as a runner out of the backfield.

Coach Brad Childress called the situation "less than ideal" and said Harvin's ability to fly with the team today to New Orleans could be affected. Childress also noted Harvin has played before under the same conditions.

"I have no idea what's going to happen," quarterback Brett Favre said of his trusty third-down target. "We hope he plays, but we have to prepare as we've been doing, like Percy's playing."

SAINTS

TE SHOCKEY MISSES PRACTICE

New Orleans tight end Jeremy Shockey missed practice yesterday with a sore right knee.

Shockey also did not participate in team drills the previous two days and couldn't make yesterday's final full workout before tomorrow's NFC championship game against Minnesota.

The eight-year veteran from Miami had three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown in last week's victory over Arizona, but hurt the knee on the 17-yard TD reception. During the season, he had 48 receptions for 569 yards and three scores.

David Thomas, the other tight end who sees significant action for the Saints, caught 35 passes this season.

ADAMS FUNERAL

DE REMEMBERED FOR BIG SMILE

Defensive end Gaines Adams was remembered for his enormous talent, quiet humility and an amazing smile that drew people to him throughout his football career.

"They all talked about that smile," Tommy Bowden, Adams' college coach at Clemson, recalled yesterday at Easley, S.C.

More than 1,000 family members, friends, fans and teammates gathered at Rock Springs Baptist Church to celebrate the life of Adams, the 26-year-old defensive end who died Sunday from an enlarged heart.

Adams was an All-American at Clemson and taken fourth overall by Tampa Bay in the 2007 NFL draft. Adams was traded to Chicago midway through this season.

It was not Adams' way to complain or worry over things that didn't go as planned. Bears coach Lovie Smith told the crowd that soon after the trade, Adams called to ask how he could best help his new team succeed.

"He came in like a man, ready to work," Smith said.

COLTS

CORNERBACK LISTED AS QUESTIONABLE

Indianapolis cornerback Jerraud Powers has missed his third straight practice and is questionable for tomorrow's AFC championship game against the New York Jets.

The rookie starter appeared to hurt his left foot in Saturday's 20-3 victory over Baltimore.

If he cannot play, coach Jim Caldwell has said rookie Jacob Lacey would start in his place.

ELSEWHERE

TV ratings: The NFL has drawn the most viewers for the divisional round of the playoffs in 16 years, with an average of 33 million per game.

The audiences for Arizona-New Orleans, Baltimore-Indianapolis, Dallas-Minnesota and New York Jets-San Diego were up 15 percent from 28.8 million viewers in 2008.

Sunday's Cowboys-Vikings game attracted 37.7 million viewers, the most-watched program on television since last February's Super Bowl.

Pro Bowl: Houston Texans rookie Brian Cushing will not play in the Pro Bowl because of several injuries.

The linebacker dealt with foot, knee and rib injuries, as well as a broken finger, this season.

Cushing had 133 tackles, five sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and a safety.

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