PLAYER NOTES

--FB Terrelle Smith has missed practice this week to attend to a personal matter. Smith, a nine-year veteran, has played enough that he could practice on Friday and be productive in a game, but the club might decide to go with Tim Castille in the role of blocking fullback.

--LB Monty Beisel is now the primary backup at three positions: the strong outside spot as well as the two inside linebacker positions.

--TE Stephen Spach, signed in late October, has started the past four games and played reasonably well. Spach already is the team's best blocker at tight end and he's bright enough to have picked up the offense quickly. That's allowed him to move ahead of Leonard Pope.

--RB J.J. Arrington continues to be productive out of the team's spread formations. He had runs of 16 yards and 9 yards in the opening drive last week and later added pass receptions of 10 and 15 yards. Arrington is willing now to put his head down and work for a first down. That wasn't the case earlier in his career.

--FS Antrel Rolle has made great improvement over the last two months and appears fully integrated in the job after moving from corner. The team is starting to use Rolle as a blitzer, an indication that coaches are handing him more duties.

--QB Kurt Warner has committed eight turnovers in the past four games and there is concern he's slipping into a few of his old, bad habits. Coaches are going to emphasize ball security and smart decision-making in practices.

GAME PLAN: The Cardinals want to improve their running game, but they won't be stupid and try to do it Sunday against the Vikings, who give up fewer yards per rush than any team in the NFL. The Cardinals don't have a physical offensive line, and they don't pretend to be a power running team. They will throw the ball against the Vikings, hoping to get a lead and then maybe grind the clock late.

Defensively, the Cardinals are a decent run defense, especially at home. Their players tend to be jacked up to play big names, so they should be ready for Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. The Cardinals' tackling can get sloppy at times, and they tend to run themselves out of their gaps at other times. If that happens against the Vikings, Peterson will have a huge day. Look for strong safety Adrian Wilson to move down close to the line of scrimmage in order to make some plays against the run.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Vikings DE Jared Allen vs. Cardinals OT Mike Gandy -- Gandy has faced elite rushers all year and played well. The Cardinals rarely go out of their way to help him. Allen, however, might be the best Gandy has faced, and he'll be coming from Kurt Warner's blind side.

Cardinals SS Adrian Wilson vs. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson: Wilson often moves down near the line of scrimmage to defend elite running backs, so it's expected he will do the same against Peterson. The collisions should be fun to watch.

Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald vs. Vikings CB Antoine Winfield: Winfield is giving up six inches and 40 pounds to Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald isn't a real burner, but he's adept at using his size and strength to beat smaller corners.

INJURY IMPACT:

--OLB Clark Haggans has a serious injury to his left foot and could be out for the rest of the season. He is consulting with a specialist before the team makes a final decision. A backup, Haggans is a key reserve who plays almost as much as starter Chike Okeafor.

--S Matt Ware has missed two games with a facial fracture but is hopeful of playing this week. The team could use him on special teams.

--ILB Pago Togafau (knee) missed last week's game and likely will be out again this week.