WR Moss expected to play more against Giants

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (Oct. 25, 2004) -- Randy Moss is expected to play a meaningful role for the Minnesota Vikings this weekend against the New York Giants, even without a fully healed right hamstring.
The Vikings started Moss against the Titans to keep his consecutive games streak alive at 102, but the All-Pro wide receiver was limited to two snaps and did not catch a pass in Minnesota's 20-3 victory over Tennessee.
"Hopefully he'll progress more this week, and we'll be able to use him in an active role," coach Mike Tice said. "I don't anticipate he'll be at speed enough to play his normal role, which is every play of the game and every situation."
Tice said he didn't know if his star would practice this week, but he indicated Moss could be useful inside the 20-yard line or on third downs against New York.
"We're going to do what's right for the rest of the season, and we're going to do what's right to get Randy Moss back as quickly as we can -- playing at a Randy Moss level," Tice said. "I'm not going to go around the rest of my career and use Randy Moss as a decoy, so we have to do what's best for Randy because we need Randy to accomplish our goals."
Also, linebacker Chris Claiborne will be out again this week with a strained left calf that has cost him two of the last three games. Claiborne's replacement, Raonall Smith, had five tackles, two defended passes and his first career interception against the Titans.