The Williamses were among six players suspended for four games apiece Tuesday for violating the NFL's steroid policy. The temporary restraining order will keep the Williamses eligible for now although this case isn't finished. The NFL successfully got the case moved to Federal Court on Thursday.

Also, the NFL Players Association filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Williamses and three other of the players on Thursday who were suspended for using a produce known as Starcaps. A hearing in that case is due to take place Friday.

Coach Brad Childress called the Williamses' court case "their decision" and said the two players have not asked him for advice. Childress admitted he has an opinion about the Williamses' decision to go to court but he refused to share it.

Meanwhile, Kevin and Pat Williams' teammates were just happy to have them back at Winter Park. At this rate, the two will be able to play Sunday at Detroit.

"It's great. I don't know exactly how it works; it's a complicated issue but I don't much care as long as they're around," wide receiver Bobby Wade said.

Even Ellis Wyms, who stood to get the starting job in place of Kevin Williams, was pleased.

"Yeah, definitely glad to see those guys back," Wyms said. "Our team's a lot better with those guys here. I'm happy to see 'em back, and hopefully they can stick around for a few more weeks."

The interesting part of this is that if the Williamses do return for a game or two and then have their suspensions upheld by the courts, they could miss a playoff game or two, if the Vikings quality.

Linebacker Ben Leber hasn't given that scenario much thought. "No, I haven't really thought much about that," he said. "I don't even know what's going on on a day-to-day basis so it's kind of stupid for me to sit there and speculate what's going to happen down the road."

If the Williamses don't play, it's likely that Fred Evans will start in place of Pat Williams at nose tackle and Ellis Wyms will start in place of Kevin Williams at the three-technique. The Vikings also signed veteran Jimmy Kennedy on Wednesday. He was released by Jacksonville last month and can play either the nose or 3-technique.

Replacing Kevin Williams would be especially tough. Wyms is an eight-year veteran who hasn't started a game since the 2006 season. He has three tackles and one sack in limited duty this season. Kevin Williams, meanwhile, is second on the Vikings with 8.5 sacks and third with 70 tackles. He also has 33 quarterback hurries, five passes defensed and five tackles for losses.

Pat Williams' stats aren't as impressive but his importance can't be downplayed. He was one of the main reasons the Vikings kept the Bears out of the end zone on four consecutive plays from the 1-yard line in the second quarter Sunday. Williams came up and tackled Bears running back Matt Forte on fourth-and-goal.

On the next play, Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte connected with Bernard Berrian on a 1-yard touchdown pass.

The loss of the Williamses also would leave the Vikings thin on the defensive line. The team got more bad news Tuesday when Brian Robison underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee. It's unclear how long he will be out.

SERIES HISTORY: 95th regular-season meeting. Vikings lead series, 62-30-2, beating the Lions 12-10 on Oct. 12 at the Metrodome. Ryan Longwell's 26-yard field goal with nine seconds left in the fourth quarter provide the winning points.