Stephen

Burton

Burton will rehab without surgery. A seventh-round pick, Burton was active as the Vikings’ No. 4 receiver the past two weeks, but appeared in only three games this season. He made two catches for 38 yards. He should be back to 100 percent well before the start of camp, and challenge for a spot on the Vikings’ 2012 roster. He’s not on the radar in dynasty leagues.

According to coach Leslie Frazier, Burton will miss “an extended period of time.” The Vikings’ No. 4 receiver is likely done for the season.

Burton was just waived over the weekend, but the Vikes are bringing him back for depth following Michael Jenkins’ season-ending knee injury. Burton is behind Greg Camarillo and Devin Aromashodu on the depth chart.

A seventh-round pick, Burton has oscillated between the active roster and practice squad, appearing in just one game. He should clear waivers and rejoin the practice squad.

The Vikings are mostly healthy, at least after placing Antoine Winfield on injured reserve this past week. Cook remains out on a team-imposed suspension.

Burton is focusing on the Z (flanker) position. It’s where Michael Jenkins figures to line up in three-wide sets, but Burton will get an opportunity to beat both he and Devin Aromashodu out for a roster spot. The Vikings took a chance on Burton in the seventh round last season due to his combination of size (6'1/224) and speed (4.44).

“You can see the confidence and that’s a big thing for a receiver,” Frazier said. “He has tremendous athletic ability and he is one of those guys who can jump out of the gym and make the acrobatic catch.” We’d like to see Burton carry that performance over to training camp before expecting more than a special teams role for 2012.

Simpson is not eligible to play until Week 4. Childs has the size at 6'3/219 and a 4.55 40 to go with it, but he’s been battling a knee injury since his junior year at Arkansas. He also missed the majority of the offseason program due to a calf strain. Childs will have to prove his health and beat out Stephen Burton/Emmanuel Arceneaux at training camp.

Fourth-rounder Jarius Wright is likely locked in, and Michael Jenkins’ salary cut gives him a better chance to stick. Burton’s primary competition could be former CFL star Emmanuel Arcenaux, who has improved more than any player WRs coach George Stewart has coached in 25 years. Kerry Taylor and Bryan Walters are also in the mix. Burton could end up starting for the suspended Jerome Simpson in Week 1 if he makes the team.

Burton was targeted just two times against the 49ers, but managed to take his lone catch 52 yards. He also had a drop, however. “He had limited exposure a year ago,” Frazier said. "(And) then with the injury to Greg (Childs), we really felt like we needed to find out more about him.” Beat writer Tom Pelissero believes Burton could see time at split end while Jerome Simpson is suspended for the season’s first three games.