NEW ORLEANS -- The Minnesota Vikings started Husain Abdullah in place of Tyrell Johnson at strong safety and Asher Allen instead of Lito Sheppard at right cornerback in Thursday night's season opener against the New Orleans Saints.
Quarterback Joe Webb, cornerbacks Cedric Griffin and Chris Cook, running back Toby Gerhart, guard Chris DeGeare, defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, tight end Mikey Shuler and defensive end Everson Griffen were all inactive for Minnesota.
New Orleans' inactives were running back Chris Ivory, safety Chris Reis, linebackers Stanley Arnoux and Danny Clark, tackle Zach Streif, tight end Jimmy Graham, wide receiver Adrian Arrington and defensive end Junior Galette.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press