Minnesota Vikings veteran tight end Visanthe Shiacoe popped up on the team's injury report during the week with a hamstring, but is expected to play on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.
Shiancoe ranks third on the Vikings with 24 receptions and 274 receiving yards and ranks second with a pair of touchdown receptions, including the first touchdown pass of first-round quarterback Christian Ponder's NFL career. Shiancoe will be a free agent in the offseason and could see his role in offense reduce as the club looks to get 2011 second-round tight end Kyle Rudolph more involved in the offense.
Rudolph caught three passes for 37 yards in Monday night's 45-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
"I'm trying to put trust in the coaches that I'll make plays when my opportunity's called," Rudolph told the Pioneer Press earlier this week. "I just try to go each week by learning my assignments and be as prepared as possible."
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