Robison inactive, Griffen to start

The Vikings made DE Brian Robison inactive with a shoulder injury, paving the way for Everson Griffen to get his first start of the season.

Defensive end Brian Robison was the only questionable Vikings player for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans after he tested his right shoulder in Friday’s practice, but he was made inactive Sunday.

Robison suffered a Grade 3 sprain of the AC joint in his right shoulder in the first quarter of last Sunday’s win over St. Louis, giving Everson Griffen the start at left defensive end in Houston.

Griffen’s reps increased in Sunday’s win over St. Louis as Robison’s replacement. Griffen played in 85 percent of the defensive snaps and intercepted a pass that he returned 29 yards for a touchdown. He also added one tackle, one quarterback hit and a pass defensed.

Also of interest at defensive end is that the Vikings made D’Aundre Reed inactive but have DE George Johnson, who was just promoted from the practice squad on Saturday, set to play in the defensive line rotation.

Other inactives for the Vikings include QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, WR Stephen Burton, CB Brandon Burton, LB Audie Cole and OL Trop Kropog.

As expected, the Vikings get cornerback Chris Cook back in the lineup after he missed the last six games with a broken forearm. He is likely to start at right cornerback, with Josh Robison getting turns in the nickel defense and Antoine Winfield sliding inside to cover the slot receiver.

“He’s far enough along that we’re going to play him, it’s just a matter of how much we’re going to play him,” Frazier said of Cook on Friday.

The Texans deactivated CB Alan Ball, OL Antoine Caldwell, OL Andrew Gardner, OL Cody White, NT Terrell McClain, S Quintin Demps and CB Stanford Routt.

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