Sidney Rice will play this season after all.
The Minnesota Vikings activated the Pro Bowl wide receiver off the physically unable to perform list Saturday, and he could play Sunday against the NFC North rival Green Bay Packers.
Rice missed the Vikings' first nine games of the season after having hip surgery during the preseason. Vikings coach Brad Childress said Friday that if Rice wasn't activated from the PUP list before Sunday's game, he likely would be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Rice declined several requests for comment in the locker room after practice Friday, but he told an ESPN reporter that he planned to play against the Packers.
Rice, who's in the final season of a four-year contract he received after being drafted in the second round by the Vikings in 2007, broke out last season with the arrival of quarterback Brett Favre and racked up 1,312 receiving yards with eight touchdown catches. Rice recently balked at the suggestion he was taking his time with his recovery to avoid being hurt during a contract year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
