Antoine Winfield said his right foot felt better in practice Wednesday but he said he doesn't know what his exact role will be in Sunday's divisional playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Winfield, who missed six games because of the injury, was used only as the nickel back in the regular-season finale against the Giants after struggling in the previous two games.

Winfield said he went to Houston during the Vikings bye week and that his foot made progress. He won't be 100 percent until this offseason but he said the extra rest definitely helped.

"I feel good," he said. "I think it helped having the time off, staying off the foot. It felt good today. I went out there and took all the reps. I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing Sunday."

Winfield gave up a few big plays and had a handful of missed tackles in the two games before the Giants game. He clearly was not healthy so the coaching staff moved Benny Sapp to the left cornerback spot and played Winfield only in nickel situations. Winfield said he played about 20 snaps against the Giants.

"Wherever they need me or feel I'll be most effective, I'll be there," Winfield said.

Winfield said it's easier on his foot to play in the slot because it doesn't require as much running and he's obviously not on the field for as many plays.

"It's reduced snaps and playing in the slot the movement is not as much," he said. "On the outside you have to worry about the deep ball. You have to worry about running across the field. In the slot, we play a lot of Cover 2 zone so I'm looking in at the quarterback and I'm moving in spaces that are limited so I'm not moving as much."