Vikings receivers Rice and Harvin are candidates for receptions leader

The Minnesota Vikings witnessed young wide receivers rising up to be stars and leaders in pass catches. While third-year pro Sidney Rice led the team in receptions with 83 catches, rookie receiver Harvin was as impressive as the starter with 60 receptions. So, just as expected, both are qualified candidates for 2010 receptions leader.

The other candidates include receiver Bernard Berrian, running back Adrian Peterson and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. All of them have great chances of becoming the leader, but Rice and Harvin obviously have more advantages.

With 60 catches in his first year of wearing Minnesota Vikings jersey, Harvin was named the 2009 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. After showing his great hands and explosion during last season, he is on a solid ground to receive more playing time to narrow the gap between himself and Rice.

With excellent playing skills and flexible catch radius, Rice managed to become quarterback Brett Favre’s favorite target in 2009. So if Favre returns and Rice stays with the Vikings, the receiver is very likely to remain the receptions leader of the team. But if Rice was signed away by another team, the title will most likely to go to Harvin.

Bengals put WR Henry on IR because of broken arm

The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry was confirmed to miss the rest of the season. The team has put him on injured reserve and the receiver had a surgery Monday on his broken left forearm. Not sure whether he would still be able to play for the team for next season as his current contract will expire after this season.

Henry was hurt in Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens when he made his only catch. Fabian Washington, a cornerback in Ravens jersey, made the tackle and came down on Henry’s arm. It hurt so much that the receiver immediately knew the injury was severe.

The unfortunate player had just recovered from a thigh injury that the improved during the bye week. Perhaps he was just too excited to play with enough care to his body. Almost losing his job after his fifth arrest following the 2007 season, Henry has tried to be a good player and stayed out of trouble since owner Mike Brown brought him back a few months after releasing him and gave him a two-year contract.

Henry totally had 12 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns this season, ranking fourth among Bengals receivers behind Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles and Andre Caldwell. The Bengals still made a 17-7 win over the Ravens without Henry.