The Vikings parted ways with John David Booty on Wednesday, releasing the second-year quarterback from their practice squad.

The move was somewhat surprising, considering the Vikings had signed Booty to their practice squad after waiving him during their final roster cuts before the season. A fifth-round pick out of Southern California last season, Booty spent his rookie season as the team’s No. 3 quarterback.
Booty became the fourth quarterback with Brett Favre’s arrival, meaning he took hardly any reps in practice. The Vikings signed offensive tackle Clint Oldenburg to fill his spot on the practice squad.
“We typically roll guys through the practice squad,” coach Brad Childress said. “(Booty) wasn’t getting a great deal of turns there, and the fact is we needed another offensive lineman to practice and wanted to take a look a Clint. I’m not going to rule out bringing (Booty) back, but we do what we need to do to make it through here week by week.”
Harvin injured
Rookie wide receiver Percy Harvin did not practice Wednesday after injuring his left shoulder on Sunday against the Rams. Harvin landed on his shoulder on a 19-yard catch in the second quarter. He left briefly and was examined by the medical staff. He was able to return and said afterward that he didn’t think the injury was too serious.
Rookie right tackle Phil Loadholt had limited participation in practice after missing Sunday’s game because of a sprained ankle. Loadholt said his ankle felt pretty good, but he wasn’t sure if he’ll be able to play Sunday.
Going too far
Favre has endured his share of big hits throughout his 19-year career, but he had an interesting take on the NFL’s crackdown on roughing-the-passer penalties.
“It’s such a judgment call and it’s been emphasized so much that it is going to be maybe overcalled,” Favre said. “If the flag is in your favor, then it’s a great call. I’m all for protecting the quarterback, but I think it’s something that has maybe been overemphasized a little bit because there are some that are very questionable. I understand why they’re doing it. I’m a quarterback, too. But it’s tough when it may determine the outcome of a game and it’s not as obvious as you may think it is.”
Heads-up play
Heath Farwell leads the Vikings in special teams tackles, but he didn’t get credit for tackling his own teammate Sunday. But Farwell made a smart play when he tackled punt returner Jaymar Johnson in the third quarter.
On the punt, Johnson let the ball bounce but stayed reasonably close as a group of Rams converged on the ball to down it. As the ball rolled, one Rams player grabbed Johnson’s left arm and tried to push him into the ball. A second later, another Rams player pushed Johnson from behind, hoping he would touch the ball.
Farwell saw what was happening, ran in from the side and tackled Johnson so that he wouldn’t be near the ball.
“It was kind of a meathead play,” Farwell said, laughing. “I apologized to him. I was scared they were going to throw him into the ball. I was trying to get him away from the ball. Just helping my teammate, I guess. ... Of course I was running full speed, so I didn’t mean to hit him that hard. I was just trying to rush over there and help him. But on the sidelines I apologized to him.”
Said Johnson, who sits next to Farwell in the locker room: “At first I didn’t know it was him. Once I saw that white jersey, I’m like, ’What are you doing hitting me?’ Of course Heath is a smart player, so I knew what the purpose behind it was.”