Minnesota's decision to have cornerback Cedric Griffin open training camp on the PUP makes sense, considering he is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that was suffered in the NFC title game last January.
The recovery time for a torn ACL is six to nine months, and Griffin is right around the six-month mark. But this doesn't mean Griffin isn't frustrated.
"I don't have a timetable right now," he said. "I wanted to participate in training camp and I wasn't able to. My timetables are up, I'm not giving no more. Whenever I'm ready, I'm going to go out there - and I will be ready."
The reality is that Griffin might not be ready when the Vikings open the season Sept. 9 at New Orleans.
"I'm ready to play football right now," he said. "This is my dream, playing in the NFL, and I've been doing it five years. I love playing football. I love hitting. I love intercepting the ball. Whenever they say I'm ready and whenever I feel like I'm ready, I'll be out there and I'll be competing and I'll be making big plays for the Vikings."
With Griffin out, Lito Sheppard and Asher Allen have been getting reps with the first team at right corner.