The Minnesota Vikings have left open the possibility that receiver Percy Harvin will be ready to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions. If that happens, however, Harvin is going to have to make a pretty quick recovery from an ankle he sprained during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Coach Leslie Frazier said Harvin's status is day-to-day. But on Monday, Harvin entered the Vikings locker room on crutches. He told reporters that his left ankle is sprained in three places, seemingly making his availability a long shot.

We don't have to spend too much time assessing the significance of the Vikings playing a game without Harvin, who has caught more than twice as many passes (62) for almost twice as many yards (677) as the next-most prolific Vikings player. His 22 carries as a running back, meanwhile, are only 10 fewer than backup Toby Gerhart. They would face a major hurdle in moving the ball against the Lions or any other defense without him.

Despite a long list of ailments and illness in his career, Harvin has only missed three games in four seasons. Stay tuned.