Vikings CB Griffin nears return from 2nd ACL tear

Cedric Griffin has the rehabilitation program for a torn anterior cruciate ligament down pat. The Minnesota Vikings cornerback is recovering from the injury for a second straight year, and this time it's the other knee. Teammate Antoine Winfield says Griffin is ''the hardest working man in America'' after returning to the practice field this month. Griffin won't play in the team's first preseason game Saturday but he is in line to be in the starting lineup Sept. 11 for the regular season opener. Griffin says injuries are simply part of the game and he has tried to deflect praise for his effort. He says it's his job to work hard. Griffin and Winfield should be the starters at cornerback this year, with Chris Cook behind them.