Minnesota Vikings

Viking receiver Percy Harvin left practice early Tuesday and was tended to in the shelter that adjoins the Winter Park practice fields. He watched the rest of the practice from there. Offensive Coordinator Bill Musgrave addressed the media but didn't know the reason for Harvin's absence but did speculate that maybe his ribs were bothering him.

Viking guard Anthony Herrera has been removed from the physically unable to perform list Monday. The move comes a week earlier than expected. Herrera tore his anterrior cruciate ligament against Green Bay last November. Herrera will compete to reclaim his starting right guard position for the Vikings.

The Vikings broke camp in Mankato Thursday and will play their preseason opener in Tennessee against the Titans at 7pm Saturday night. See the game on KARE 11 T.V. The Vikings will have to play without tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, Anthony Herrera, and Cedric Griffin because of injury.

The Vikings break camp in Mankato today after a 9-11:30 morning practice in shoulder pads. The Viking then head north to Winter Park and will take off for Nashville, Tennessee Friday. The Vikings play their preseason opener at Tennessee against the Titans at 7pm Saturday night. See the game on KARE 11. Donavan McNabb gets the start at quarterback for the Vikings Saturday night with Joe Webb playing with the 2nd team and rookie Christian Ponder appearing as the 3rd quarterback.

The Vikings welcomed quarterback Donavan McNabb to the practice field for the first time this season as a Viking. Players recently traded for and recently signed as free agents couldn't practice with the team until after the new Collective Bargaining Agreement was ratified and it was yesterday afternoon.

The Vikings hit the practice field today on what is the first day of the new NFL fiscal year. This means all NFL players either traded for or signed as free agents can begin practicing with their respective teams. The players practicing with the Vikings for the first time today at 3pm include quarterback Donavan McNabb, defensive tackle Remi Ayodele, and receiver Bernard Berrian.

The Vikings cut left tackle Bryant McKinnie Tuesday afternoon after 9 seasons. The move came just a day after the Vikings signed free agent offensive lineman Charlie Johnson. Johnson started 27 games in the last 2 seasons at left tackle for Indianapolis. The 27-year old Johnson gets a 3-year deal with the Vikings worth $10.5 Million with $3 Million guaranteed.

The Vikings have released veteran left tackle Bryant McKinnie this afternoon. He showed up at training camp overweight and out of shape. The Vikings placed him on the non football injury list Monday. They also signed free agent left tackle Charlie Johnson Monday and he'll likely replace McKinnie at left tackle. Johnson started 27 games the last 2 seasons in Indianapolis.

The Vikings signed the remaining unsigned draft picks including first round quarterback Christian Ponder Sunday. Ponder was taken with the 12 overall pick in the April NFL draft and is expected to begin the season as the backup quarterback to veteran Donavan McNabb. Ponder will be at camp today while McNabb cannot practice with the team until Thursday per the new collective bargaining agreement.

The Vikings signed recent released receiver Michael Jenkins to a 3-year contract. Jenkins was recently released by the Atlanta Falcons. New Viking offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave coached Jenkins in Atlanta before coming to Minnesota.