Childress will wait to make a call on Peterson

MANKATO - Adrian Peterson declared himself fit and ready Wednesday, but it remained unclear whether the rookie tailback will make his Metrodome debut Friday in the Vikings' preseason opener against St. Louis.

Peterson has been working through soreness caused by a hip pointer, and coach Brad Childress said he doesn't want Peterson to risk further injury and might not determine Peterson's status until Friday.

"I'm not trying to be coy about it," Childress said. "I just want to make sure that when he opens up, he can open up. You want guys to be able to protect themselves, which he can do. But part of protecting yourself is to be able to open up and run away. If you can't do that, you can't protect yourself. So we'll see."

Earlier Wednesday, Peterson spoke as if playing was a foregone conclusion. He said, "I'm sure I'll feel the chill" upon stepping into the building. But Peterson said his high-profile career at Oklahoma has prepared him for that moment.

"My first college game [at Oklahoma], I was a little nervous," Peterson said. "I'm sure I'll be excited going out there [Friday], but I'll know how to handle it."

Peterson has missed 10 practices this summer, five because of the hip pointer, but participated in both workouts Wednesday. Neither was full pads.

Childress, meanwhile, did acknowledge several details about Friday's game, including:

• Starters will play two or three series but no longer than the first quarter.

• To no one's surprise, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson will start. Brooks Bollinger will follow him in the second quarter.

• One of the few true starting competitions is at left end, where Kenechi Udeze and Darrion Scott have been rotating with the first team. Childress indicated both players will see action with the first team Friday night.

Etc.

• No one commented on plans for calling offensive plays Friday. Childress called plays last season, but offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has done so for most unscripted portions of practice this summer. Childress has said he will experiment with the situation throughout the preseason.

• Linebacker Jason Glenn left the morning practice and was walking with crutches because of recurring soreness in his surgically repaired left knee. Childress said Glenn is suffering from patella tendinitis.

• Defensive end Erasmus James remained on the physically unable to perform list but should be activated "any day now," James said.

• Running back Mewelde Moore rejoined the team following the birth of his daughter, Jalyn Chantelle, on Monday. Both Jalyn and her mother, Tymeka, are doing well. "Jalyn is already wrapped around my finger," Moore said. "Or, I'm wrapped around her finger. However you want to put it."

• Owner Zygi Wilf presented $1,000 to the health and wellness program at Eagle Lake School, honoring the work of teacher Jane Brunz. The Vikings also donated $1,000 to the Greater Mankato United Way to kick off this summer's community tour, which also will take team officials to Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Granite Falls, Red Wing, Rochester, St. Cloud and Willmar.

Staff writer Judd Zulgad contributed to this report.

Kevin Seifert • kseifert@startribune.com