Vikings nose tackle Letroy Guion left Saturday afternoon's practice grimacing in pain after injuring his right elbow. But a magnetic resonance imaging test on the arm came back negative and Guion should have nothing more than soreness to deal with when the team returns to the practice field Monday in Mankato.

After a pair of camp practices last week, the Vikings are now clear by league rules to put the pads on, a big step they will make Monday afternoon. The team had Sunday off, will have a walk-through at Blakeslee Stadium at 10:30 Monday morning and then will begin practice at 2:30, the first outing in pads since before last season's playoff loss in Green Bay.

Guion is still slated as the starter at nose tackle but is locked in a spirited competition with Fred Evans to retain that role. No matter who starts, both players are likely to share reps throughout the season.