Herrera returns from PUP, rotation at right guard changes

Anthony Herrera returned to the practice field today for the first time since suffering a torn left anterior cruciate ligament last Nov. 21 against the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome.

Herrera, the Vikings' starting right guard since November 2007, worked with the first team during group installation drills after being activated from the physically-unable-to-perform list. He had to pass a physical before being taken off that list. Herrera, who was wearing a protective wrap on his knee, declined to comment as he left the field, saying he had to go get treatment.

"We didn't anticipate him being on the field until maybe next week at the earliest, and the fact that he's out here a week earlier than we anticipated, that's a good sign," coach Leslie Frazier. Frazier said there is a chance Herrera could get a series on Saturday night in Seattle, depending on how things go this week in practice.

Herrera did not do any work in 11-on-11 drills during Monday's practice at Winter Park -- the Vikings broke camp in Mankato last Friday -- opening the door for Scott Kooistra and Ryan Cook to get reps. Cook replaced Herrera after he was injured last season.

That was interesting because Chris DeGeare had played left guard while Herrera was out. DeGeare started at that position in the Vikings' preseason opener Saturday night at Tennessee, but on Monday he was used at right tackle in the team drills.

"No, we're not taking [DeGeare] out of the mix [at right guard], but we want to able to give him a chance to work some tackle along with Jon Cooper," Frazier said. "We're going to flop those guys a little bit and just see what kind of position flexibility they can give us and you know on that offensive line if you can find a couple guys that can do that, it just helps you numbers-wise when you come to game day. We're going to give Chris a chance to see how he does in that regard."

Cooper, the Vikings' backup center, actually will get work at guard and center now.

Frazier's intention is to leave Kooistra at tackle for the most part. That means the competition for right guard will be between Herrera, DeGeare and Cook.

Still on the sideline

Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring) and linebacker Kenny Onatolu (foot) remained out of practice.

Onatolu is no longer wearing a walking boot on his left foot, but Frazier doesn't expect him to play until the third preseason game against Dallas.

Shiancoe likely will sit out again Saturday after straining his hamstring last week. "[We] just want to be cautious," Frazier said. "We'd like to take a look at the other guys. We kind of know where Shianc is. If it were a game situation, maybe, but no, preseason, we should be all right."

Linebacker Heath Farwell (hamstring), offensive tackle Thomas Welch (glute) and defensive end D'Aundre Reed (strained calf) did not practice Monday. Rookie safety Mistral Raymond, coming off a hamstring pull suffered last week, was limited.

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