McNabb likely just passing through

MANKATO - Donovan Mc-Nabb can see himself playing for five or six more seasons, but chances are only one of them will be in Minnesota.

McNabb, who arrived via trade from Washington on July 29, received a one-year deal from the Vikings that carries a base salary of $5.05 million, according to an NFL source. The maximum value of the contract if incentives are reached is $7.25 million, according to the 1500ESPN website.

McNabb signed a five-year extension worth $70 million last season with Washington. According to NFL sources, the option on McNabb's contract was not exercised and therefore the years 2012-15 were voided, bringing his contract down to a one-year deal.

That makes this more of a win-win for the Vikings and McNabb. If he doesn't play well this season, the Vikings can let him walk away while paying a very low salary to their starting quarterback. If McNabb does play well, he will be able to shop his services on the market and the Vikings would be in a position to make Christian Ponder their starter in 2012.

Logjam at receiver Coach Leslie Frazier said he expects to keep five of the 11 receivers now on the Vikings' 90-man roster.

That most likely leaves eight guys battling for two spots behind Percy Harvin, Michael Jenkins and Bernard Berrian.

"It's going to be a hotly contested position throughout this camp and throughout the preseason, and I think we have some solid candidates to choose from," Frazier said. "We're probably going to end up having to release a very good football player."

Getting a pass Running back Adrian Peterson made a couple of nice catches in Friday's practice, something that should become a more common occurrence in the Vikings' new offensive system under coordinator Bill Musgrave.

"Just looking through the playbook I see the running back, fullback, we're definitely involved a lot" in the passing game, Peterson said. "Slot and different formations, things like that."

Peterson had 36 receptions in 2010 and a career-high 43 catches in 2009, so he certainly can catch the ball.

"That's something he wants to do," Frazier said. "He wants to be a better receiver coming out of the backfield. He wants to stay in all the time on third down. Doesn't want to come off the field. In order to do that, you've got to do what he did -- you've got to catch the football."

Slimmed-down Percy Harvin said that he has lost about 10 pounds after carrying 205 pounds on his 5-11 frame last season. He said he plans to play at 195 pounds and is now eating right. He wouldn't say whether the new diet has anything to do with helping prevent his migraines.

Etc. • Cornerback Marcell Gipson missed his second consecutive day of practice because of a family emergency.