Sore toe keeps Berrian on sidelines

BALTIMORE - Already without safety Madieu Williams because of a neck injury, the Vikings were missing another of their big offseason free-agent signings Saturday.

Wide receiver Bernard Berrian did not play in the 23-15 preseason victory over the Ravens because of a sore toe. Berrian suffered the injury in the Vikings' exhibition opener against Seattle.

"It's nothing serious, just precautionary," he said. "Just taking some time off and let it rest up."

Berrian, signed to a six-year, $42 million deal that included a $16 million signing bonus, was limited in practice last week because of the injury. He also was bothered by a sore groin early in camp.

"We're just trying to get him completely healthy," coach Brad Childress said, adding that starters will see their most extensive work in the preseason next Saturday against Pittsburgh. "[We] just want to make sure that he is where he needs to be as we start back on Monday."

The Vikings can't be blamed for being cautious with Berrian. He was signed to be the Vikings' top receiver in large part because of his ability to stretch the field with his speed.

Second-round pick Tyrell Johnson started his second consecutive game at safety in place of Williams. Williams is expected to miss six weeks, and at this rate Johnson is the favorite to start the first three games of the regular season.

The rest of the inactive list included tight end Garrett Mills (ankle); offensive tackles Drew Radovich (shoulder) and Marcus Johnson (knee); defensive tackle Kendrick Allen (wrist); and defensive end Brian Robison (leg).

Defensive tackle Pat Williams suffered a bruised knee in the first half but was able to return. Backup offensive lineman Tim Mattran was on crutches after the game because of a sprained right ankle.

Allen, a veteran defensive tackle who didn't play in the NFL last season, could be out for an extended period.

Allen underwent surgery to have pins inserted in his right wrist after suffering what was believed to be a dislocation against the Seahawks. Allen, who was wearing a cast as he watched the Vikings practice last week, had been competing for a roster spot behind Pat Williams at nose tackle. Fred Evans is the primary backup at that position. The Vikings have yet to make a roster move with Allen.

Running back Chester Taylor, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Ravens, started Saturday instead of Adrian Peterson. Taylor finished with six carries for 23 yards.

Peterson, meanwhile, got his first rushing attempt of the preseason nine plays into the opening drive. He finished with 30 yards on eight rushing attempts and also had a 22-yard reception. "It felt pretty good to finally get a carry," said Peterson, who did not touch the ball against Seattle. "I love to run the ball, but it felt good to get a carry going against the defense. Especially the Ravens."

Peterson and linebacker E.J. Henderson, who attended Maryland, served as the Vikings' captains.

• Rookie Steven Hauschka handled the kicking duties for the second consecutive game as Ryan Longwell watched from the bench. Hauschka made field goals of 21, 34 and 48 yards. The Vikings failed to get off another field-goal attempt when holder Chris Kluwe fumbled the snap.

• Baltimore won the coin toss but elected to defer and kicked off to start the game. The NFL is aligning itself with the college game, so the team that wins the toss has the option to defer its choice until the second half.

• The Ravens showed Baltimore native Michael Phelps winning his eighth gold medal at the Beijing Olympics on the SmartVision boards in M&T Bank Stadium after Saturday's game. Phelps is a diehard Ravens fan.