Greetings from Paul Brown Stadium, where the defending NFC North champs will soon kick off their preseason schedule against the Bengals.

The Vikings announced that running back Adrian Peterson will not play tonight, which should not come as a surprise considering he hasn't had a preseason carry since 2011. He is one of many Vikings who are sitting out.

The long list includes right guard Brandon Fusco, who participated in the joint practice with the Bengals on Wednesday but not on Thursday. With Fusco out, Joe Berger will be at right guard and John Sullivan at center.

Also out tonight are wide receiver Jarius Wright; cornerbacks Terence Newman, Melvin White and Marcus Sherels; linebackers Eric Kendricks, Edmond Robinson and Brandon Watts; and defensive linemen Sharrif Floyd and Scott Crichton. Those guys did not make the trip to Cincinnati.

Rookie running back Jhurell Pressley, who was not with the team Wednesday or Thursday, is now in town and is expected to play tonight.

Keep an eye on Trae Waynes tonight. He will start at left cornerback with Newman back in the Twin Cities. Big opportunity for the 2015 first-rounder.

While coach Mike Zimmer would not say on Thursday how long he planned to play his starters, I expect the majority of them to play one or two series based on how he has handled preseason openers in the past.