Hicks, Herrera battling for right guard spot

MANKATO - The competition between Artis Hicks and Anthony Herrera for the starting right guard position appears to be heating up.

Both players received work with the first-team offense during the morning practice Monday -- there was only a special teams workout in the afternoon -- but Herrera got the majority of the reps with the top unit during full-contact periods. Hicks started 14 games at right guard last season for the Vikings.

Coach Brad Childress said the way the workload was distributed does not mean Hicks has been demoted and that the plan all along has been to let the two players battle for the job.

"That's how we kind of came into camp," Childress said. "I don't know if I represented that, but we're going to let them vie for it."

Childress also said Ryan Cook and Marcus Johnson continue to compete for the starting position at right tackle, even though Cook is getting more work with the top unit. Herrera got plenty of time with the first team early in camp, spending the first nine practices with that group while Hicks filled in at left tackle for injured Bryant McKinnie.

Once McKinnie returned, Hicks shifted back to right guard. Neither Hicks nor Herrera had much to say about the situation Monday. Asked what had happened, Hicks said: "I don't know. You have to ask [the offensive line coaches] or Brad Childress about that."

Leber to return

Strong-side linebacker Ben Leber, who has missed the majority of camp because of a strained calf, is expected to return today, according to Childress.

"I came back too quick last time, so I think we're just going to be extra cautious this time," Leber said.

Leber injured his calf on the first day of camp but returned after sitting for only a couple of days. He quickly aggravated the problem and has been out since.

"I've seen some injuries through my short time in the league that if you don't take care of them here in the preseason they are going to nag and nag all the way through the season," he said. "This is nothing serious, but at the same time I don't want this to affect me when we open up Week 1."

Paris comes to Mankato

The Vikings signed former Gophers receiver Paris Hamilton to take the roster spot of rookie offensive lineman Dan Mozes, who was waived/injured after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Friday in a practice against Kansas City.

Mozes isn't expected to be claimed, meaning his rights will return to the Vikings and he will spend the season on injured reserve. Surgery will be performed in a couple of weeks once the swelling in Mozes' knee goes down.

Hamilton, who spent a brief period on the Vikings roster this offseason, had been getting ready to start a job as a personal trainer at a fitness center in his hometown of Houston.

Etc.

• Running back Chester Taylor returned to practice after sitting out much of last week because of a bruised forearm. Receivers Troy Williamson (arm infection) and Chandler Williams (concussion) also were back. Running back Adrian Peterson (hip flexor) and safety Darren Sharper (shoulder) practiced but did not take part in tackle-to-the-ground drills.

• Running back Mewelde Moore was excused from Monday's practice so he could return home to be with his wife, Tymeka, who gave birth to the couple's first child.

• Linebacker Jason Glenn, who tore the ACL in his left knee last season, did not practice because the coaching staff wanted to get him a day off. Glenn is expected back today.

• Although it is being termed unofficial, the Vikings have issued their first depth chart of training camp. To see it, go to www.startribune.com/blogs/vikings.

• The offense was so sloppy during one team drill that Childress eventually restarted it. At least three offensive linemen --Hicks, Herrera and Cook -- jumped offsides and had to run to the far goalpost as a result.

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com