Peterson starts training camp on PUP

Pat Christman/The Free Press

Running back Adrian Peterson was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list as he continues to rehab his knee, which means he can't participate in team drills.
He will work with trainers on an adjacent field, and coach Leslie Frazier said that Peterson will be evaluated daily to determine when he can join practice.
Peterson said Thursday that he would prefer to stay off PUP and participate fully, and he discussed that with Frazier.
"He put up a fight," Frazier said. "He said `don't hold me back.' He wants to get out there, but we have to be smart."
Tight end Mickey Shuler (heel) and receiver Stephen Burton (toe) both are on the non-football injury list, which means they will also practice individually. Frazier said he expects both to be back soon.
Percy Harvin spoke at camp and said that all the offseason issues, which reportedly included a trade request and other problems with management and coaches, were resolved.
"I'm at camp, I'm happy," he said. "I'm on board and ready to go out here and start practicing."
Defensive end Jared Allen said that not having to deal with lofty expectations, it might be easier for the Vikings to focus on the upcoming season.
"I think this is the first year where they're are no real expectations going into camp," Allen said. "Our expectations are the same, an NFC North title and get to the Super Bowl. But we were 3-13 last year, and we have a completely new team."

Lockout? What lockout?

In Friday's edition of The Free Press, Chad Courrier opines that the NFL lockout didn't really affect football fans at all. In fact, it did away with a lot of the mundane news of the league until the week before training camp started. Everybody wins! Read Chad's column here.

Tempers flare on training camp's final day

This is Chad Courrier, reporting from Minnesota Vikings practice for the second-to-last time.

Tempers flared during Thursday's morning practice, with Ray Edwards instigating quite a scrap. During a full-team, no-tackle practice, Edwards gave a shot to rookie running back Toby Gerhart, knocking him to the turf after the whistle.

Tackle Phil Loadholt then stood up for the rookie, shoving Edwards. Running backs coach Eric Bienemy came around the pile, shouting at Edwards.

Soon, defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier entered the fray, and he got tangled with Edwards. Finally, Jared Allen stepped in front of Frazier, trying to calm him down.

After practice, Edwards said he intentionally knocked down Gerhart.

"(Frazier) got mad at Jared and me," Edwards said. "It's not the first time I've seen him that mad."

Edwards said he was impressed that Gerhart responded to Edwards' cheap shot. "I give him credit for getting up and going back to work."

As for other news, U.S. Sen. Al Franken visited practice, saying he was a "big fan" of the team, and he was excited for the upcoming season.

Chris Mortenson attended practice as part of ESPN's training-camp bus tour.

Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe returned to practice after missing a couple of days with an undisclosed injury. He took part in individual drills, then left the field for about 40 minutes before returning.

Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson also left practice for about 15 minutes with trainers but returned without any apparent problem.

Receiver Jaymar Johnson was injured after making a long catch, and receiver Greg Lewis seemed to be having issues with the heat.

On Tuesday, safety Tyrell Johnson talked abut how he needed to get more interceptions this season. He made a nice play Thursday, running stride for stride with Bernard Berrian and making an interception on the 50-yard pass.

The entire team finished the morning practice by signing autographs for the fans.

Coach Brad Childress said that the starting offense and defense would likely only play one series in Saturday's preseason opener at St. Louis. He said that second- and third-teamers would all likely see action before halftime.

Training camp is winding down, and nothing is happening

Chad Courrier here, and steamy morning practice just got over. The soggy field limited what the Vikings did today, but there was some news.

Long-snapper Cullen Loeffler returned after missing a day of practice because of the birth of his son. Tight end Jim Kleinsasser retutrned to practice; he missed two days because of an undisclosed reason. Guard Anthony Herrera was back at right guard.

Still no receiver Percy Harvin or tight end Visanthe Shiancoe or center John Sullivan because of injuries.

Running back Darius Reynaud was back at full-speed, working from the backfield and punt returns. He had missed time with a sprained ankle.

The highlight play came from receiver Taye Biddle, who deflected a long pass from Sage Rosenfels and recovered the carom before falling to the ground.