At least for now, McKinnie returns

Bryant McKinnie returned to the Vikings' organized team activities Wednesday, a day after attending a pre-trial hearing in Miami at which a judge granted him a two-week continuance for his trial stemming from a brawl outside a nightclub in February.

"I can't really get into all that right now," the left tackle said. "I'll let my lawyer handle that and let the proceedings go through."

McKinnie spoke to the media for the first time since the Feb. 24 incident. He's facing four charges, including one felony for aggravated battery, after fighting with a member of the nightclub's security staff. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

On Tuesday his attorney, Larry Kerr, asked that the state of Florida allow McKinnie to enter a pre-trial diversion program. That could lead to the charges being dismissed before his June 20 court hearing. McKinnie called the past few months "a learning experience," adding, "I take it and we move on."

McKinnie also faces a possible fine or suspension from the NFL because he is a repeat offender of the league's personal conduct policy. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to speak with McKinnie, but no meeting has been set.

Asked if he expects to be with the Vikings for the duration of the season, McKinnie said: "I wouldn't make any speculation, but I'm hoping to be able to play with the team."

If McKinnie is suspended, the Vikings will not have to write a check. While the NFL announced this week that it would fine teams whose players were suspended for disciplinary reasons, a league spokesman said via e-mail that those fines "will apply going forward and will not be applied retroactively."

Childress said Tuesday that he was taking it easy with Peterson in part because he wanted a chance to look at some of the other running backs. Veteran running back Chester Taylor was absent for the third day in a row. The OTA practices are not mandatory.

Decisions, decisions The Vikings have not decided which defensive player will wear the communication device in his helmet that will allow him to receive calls from the sideline.

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said the team plans to experiment with the newly approved technology during its June 6-8 minicamp. The likely candidates to hold the responsibility are middle linebacker E.J. Henderson and safety Darren Sharper.

Henderson called the signals last season after getting them in a non-verbal manner from the sideline.

"I'm hoping it will be me because I'm making the calls," Henderson said. "[The coach] can just tell me the call, and I can relay it to the defense.

E.J.'s brother arrives Linebacker Erin Henderson, an undrafted free agent and E.J.'s brother, joined the Vikings on Wednesday. Because of a joint NFL-NCAA rule, Erin was prohibited from participating until the University of Maryland completed its spring semester.