Lorenzo

Booker

Coach Leslie Frazier has been hesitant to leave Harvin on returns because his offensive role will increase as the No. 1 receiver. “That’s just coach kind of over-thinking right now,” Harvin explained. Harvin remains No. 1 on the special teams coach’s depth chart “pending his availability.” He’s expected to be used situationally with Lorenzo Booker as the alternative.

The coaching staff lost faith in Booker last season after three fumbles on just 21 offensive touches. Marcus Sherels should take over as the primary kickoff returner with Percy Harvin’s offensive snaps due to increase.

Gerhart has earned a bigger role thanks to a per-carry average of 5.0 yards in games missed by Adrian Peterson down the stretch, but the Vikes may look to add a third-down back this offseason. Lorenzo Booker made too many mistakes in 2011 to be guaranteed a roster spot.

The Vikings clearly don’t trust Booker. Toby Gerhart racked up 39 snaps last week and Percy Harvin will be used as his change-of-pace back while Peterson is sidelined.

After contributing down the stretch as a kickoff returner with the Vikings in 2010, Booker was a disaster last season, fumbling three times on 21 offensive touches. The 28-year-old passing down specialist will likely push Armando Allen for the fourth running back spot. Alexander was undrafted out of Wyoming.

Lorenzo Booker will be the No. 3 back behind Matt Forte and Michael Bush.

With Kahlil Bell now out of the mix, it’s a two-man race for the right to caddy behind Matt Forte and Michael Bush. Allen is five years younger but Booker brings 36 games of NFL experience.

Booker missed practice all week after suffering a concussion in the preseason. Allen, in his second year out of Notre Dame, will be the No. 3 back behind Matt Forte and Michael Bush and contribute on special teams. OLB Patrick Trahan was also waived on Saturday.

In other words, he has a concussion. Booker was held out of Thursday’s practice, putting his status in doubt for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

Lorenzo Booker didn’t have a touch. Patrick Cobbs caught a pair of passes for a net gain of nine and rushed four times for 27 yards, including a seven-yard TD. While Chatman seems to have a hold on the No. 2 job currently, Cobbs should only make the team if Cam Cameron carries four backs.