FOXBORO -- Professional athletes and coaches, especially in football, always are tight-lipped about injuries. It's a basic philosophy that makes sense.

If opponents know what the injury is, they will focus on it during a game and attempt to punish the player, so a coach never wants to put his players in a position to be injured further.

From the fans' and the media's point of view, it can be frustrating not knowing exactly what the injury is, and if that player will be available for the next game.

When Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour injured his left elbow late in the first half last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, it was significant enough for the defensive lineman to miss the remainder of the game. Yesterday, when the official injury report was released, Seymour was listed as questionable for Monday night's game in Minnesota.

The good news, however, was that he participated in a portion of practice yesterday with the elbow taped up.

Pats coach Bill Belichick was asked earlier in the week about Seymour's status, and he said to wait until the injury report comes out.

"He's day-to-day, just like everybody else," said Belichick yesterday morning. "Just like (Tom) Brady , he's day-to-day. Just like me, I'm day-to-day."

Seymour was examined and had x-rays taken on Sunday and again on Monday for precautionary reasons. He showed no ill effects in the locker room after the game, saying he was fine and that the injury was caused by a "pretty good shot" to the elbow while he was on the ground.

Vikings impressive

The Patriots will face an NFC North team on Monday night. The Vikings (4-2) are coming off an impressive 31-13 win over Seattle.

"Minnesota is a pretty impressive team," said Belichick. "I spent some time on them during the offseason, but we're really getting into them with some depth here the last few days and they are really impressive."

The coach said the Vikings do everything well, especially stopping the run. That will be a key for Minnesota since Laurence Maroney and Corey Dillon have been a solid tandem for the Patriots.

Remember him?

When the Patriots face the Vikings, they'll see a familiar face on the field. Minnesota tight end and Boston native Jermaine Wiggins is in his seventh NFL season and third with the Vikes. When the native son played for the hometown team, he was an integral part of the Patriots' first Super Bowl title in 2001.

"He's a very impressive player in the passing game," said Belichick. "He made a nice catch last weekend against Seattle in the back of the end zone over his shoulder. He's a good, competitive guy. He's smart and a tough kid."

The 31-year-old Wiggins enters the game against his former team with 18 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown.

Noisy Metrodome

Minnesota will host New England at the Metrodome for the first time since 1997. The teams have played twice since, but both games were in Foxboro. Belichick has coached a game in the Metrodome, but it was when he was with the Cleveland Browns. He and his current players know what type of atmosphere to expect. "It's loud and it's Monday night," said Belichick. "I'm sure the place will be lit up; they're a fast-starting team and they do a good job at keeping everyone energized. I'm sure it'll be loud up there."

Rookie center added

The Patriots continue to add players. New England signed rookie center Brian Barthelmes to its practice squad yesterday. That squad now is at its limit of eight players. The 23-year-old center originally was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted rookie free agent last May. The 6-foot-6, 300-pounder played in the first three preseason games for New England before being released on Aug. 29.

Quick kicks

The Patriots released their official injury report yesterday. The players listed as questionable are: Linebacker Don Davis (lower leg), running back Kevin Faulk (ankle), tight end Daniel Graham (ankle), cornerback Ellis Hobbs (wrist), guard Russ Hochstein (knee), tackle Nick Kaczur (shoulder), Seymour (elbow), guard Stephen Neal (shoulder), defensive lineman Ty Warren (shoulder) and safety Eugene Wilson (hamstring). Cornerbacks Willie Andrews (thigh) and Antwain Spann (shoulder) and Brady are listed as probable.

For Minnesota, wide receiver Marcus Robinson (lower back) is listed as questionable.

jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340