Vikings notes: Patterson focusing on small steps

Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson continues to work with the second-team offense, but he apparently took note of the multiple — and not so subtle — suggestions from the coaching staff that he get his talented act together and focus on the little things that make a big difference in the NFL.

"Cordarrelle has really taken a very positive approach in terms of doing the things we're asking him to do," offensive coordinator Norv Turner said as the second week of OTA practices came to a close on Thursday at Winter Park. "There's a lot of things that go into if you're having success on Sundays. Some of it's out of your control and a lot of it's in your control. I think he understands that and I think he's working on doing the little things we're asking him to do."

Yes, rookie T.J. Clemmings hobbled off the field with an undisclosed leg injury and didn't return on Thursday. No, it wasn't related to the old foot fracture that was uncovered at the scouting combine and caused Clemmings to fall to the fourth round of the draft.

A league source downplayed the injury, describing it as "a minor issue."

Clemmings is the preferred candidate to start at right guard now that Brandon Fusco is on the left side. David Yankey, a 2014 fifth-round pick who did not play as a rookie, replaced Clemmings at guard in the two-minute drill at the end of practice. He also got some work at left tackle with the second-stringers.

With his right foot in a walking boot, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn joined fellow defenders Brian Robison, Anthony Barr, Gerald Hodges and Casey Matthews on the sidelines this week.

According to Munnerlyn, he hurt the foot on the first day of OTAs a week ago but continued to practice on it all week.

Defensive coordinator George Edwards said the team doesn't believe the injury is serious. Munnerlyn said he is hopeful he will be able to participate in the minicamp in two weeks.

Cornerback Xavier Rhodes was absent Thursday because he was attending his young child's graduation.

Veterans Terence Newman and Josh Robinson lined up on the outside with the first-team defense and second-year player Jabari Price was in the slot as the nickel back.

Trae Waynes, the team's top draft pick, stayed mostly with the second unit.

"We're putting a lot on [Waynes'] plate by playing him inside at the nickel and playing him outside at corner," Edwards said. "So from that aspect of it, it's a lot of different concepts that he's learning, asking him to do some things that he probably hasn't done. I think it's kind of running together a little bit for him, but he's been working and doing a good job."

• Waynes and rookie second-round draft pick Eric Kendricks will take on the Twins' mascot in a softball home run derby contest at noon Saturday.

• Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer said the league's decision to move the line of scrimmage for PATs back 13 yards to the 15-yard line will have a dramatic effect on at least one team this season. "There's going to be a team that loses a game this year because of a missed PAT, because of that rule," he said. He also called the new rule "very exciting."