While the Vikings are freezing themselves in preparations for Saturday night’s playoff game at Green Bay, one of their biggest names is in sunny Florida.
But Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said he had no objections to injured wide receiver Percy Harvin doing his rehab work away from the team.
“It’s purely up to him,” Frazier said, via Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com. “If he wanted to be around, he can be around. But the guys are working hard, doing everything they can.
“I know he wants our team to do well and that’s important. But we’ve got some other guys that are on IR that aren’t around as well. It doesn’t concern us.”
Given what’s on the line this weekend, it’s not a surprise that the team’s taken that approach. Frankly, if Harvin were in Minnesota, he’d only be in the trainer’s room, and not fully immersed in the daily activities of a playoff team.
“I know he’s supportive of his teammates and any of the guys that are on IR who don’t travel with us or don’t participate in what we’re doing, it’s nothing that upsets their teammates or gets them concerned,” Frazier said. “These guys are so focused on Green Bay and getting ready for that game and that’s what is most important.”
But the distance doesn’t create the kind of atmosphere that’s conducive to a long-term peace, or contract.
After a dust-up with Frazier, most think it unlikely that Harvin will ever get a deal there. When the coach was asked Wednesday if he had spoken with Harvin, he replied: “Not lately, not lately.”
Harvin’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, and has clearly outplayed his compensation.
But the Vikings have gotten to this point without him (they’re 5-2 since he injured his ankle), and as he’s chosen to do his own thing, they may decide they’re as well off that way.