Vikings coach Brad Childress defended Tarvaris Jackson at the first day of the team’s minicamp on Friday, calling the young QB “one of the hardest-working guys” on the team’s roster.

The Vikings will be without two members of their vaunted defensive line against the Eagles, deactivating DT Pat Williams and DE Ray Edwards on Sunday. The Eagles will be without a key offensive weapon, as TE L.J. Smith is inactive.

The Vikings got DT Pat Williams back at practice Wednesday, while DE Ray Edwards appears unlikely to play against the Eagles. Here are more injury updates for wild-card weekend.

Minnesota Vikings DT Pat Williams and New England Patriots LT Matt Light have left their respective games with injuries.

Legal experts familiar with this matter now agree that there’s a good chance that with the judge’s temporary restraining order, there will not be a full hearing on this case until after the season. Even if the judge has a full hearing once the playoffs begin, he will be under no time obligation and it could take him weeks or even months before issuing a final decision.

The NFL has suspended six players for violation of the steroid and banned substance policy. Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister, and the Fresh Prince of Bourbon St. (Will Smith) were suspended from the Saints. Pat Williams and Kevin Williams of the Vikings were suspended along with Texans long snapper Bryan Pittman.

Minnesota’s defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams might be able to stave off their suspensions in time for Sunday’s game against Detroit. But it could cost them later on.

Lost in the legal battle being waged between the NFL and two Vikings is the roster retooling Minnesota has been forced into making.

The Vikings will get crushed the hardest in the wake of Tuesday’s suspensions during the final two games of the season, when the NFC North title could be at stake.

When the NFL announced six suspensions Tuesday, the Vikings and Saints were hit hardest. But so were the players.

Vikings coach Brad Childress didn’t have much to say during his weekly Wednesday press conference concerning the four-game suspensions of Kevin and Pat Williams, but was clearly disappointed with the league’s decision.