Crichton has 'nagging injury;' long-snapper competition 'very, very even'

Some highlights from the press conferences held not long ago with defensive coordinator George Edwards and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer …

From Edwards …

– Defensive end Scott Crichton suffered what Edwards called a "nagging injury" on Sunday. Crichton wasn't at the morning walkthrough. Neither was offensive tackle Carter Bykowski. We'll get an injury update with coach Mike Zimmer after practice.

– We asked about Terence Newman's experience level in the nickel slot position. Newman has been seeing more reps there with rookie Trae Waynes working outside at the left corner spot and Captain Munnerlyn sitting out. "I know he's done it in the past with coach Zimmer," Edwards said. "We've been working him there the last couple of days in some reps. Captain had been a little bit injured as far as nagging injury. We're trying to get our best people on the field, look at their skill sets and just see the different things. If you go through the course of a season, guys are going to get hurt."

– Per the usual for early preseason games, the Vikings won't do any game-planning for Sunday's opener against Pittsburgh. "We don't want our guys out there being worried about matchups and those kinds of things," Edwards said. "We want to be able to line up and play fast. Not be able to think as much. Keep it simple and go play."

From Priefer …

– Priefer said the ongoing open competition for the long-snapping job is "very, very even." Said Priefer: "I would like to get to the preseason games and the actual competition there and see who wins the job."

– Asked to name some of the players who have surprised him on special teams, Priefer mentioned linebacker Brian Peters, rookie tight end MyCole Pruitt, rookie defensive end Danielle Hunter and rookie Stefon Diggs. "[Diggs] struggled when he first got here catching punts, whether it was off the Juggs [machine] or the punter's foot," Priefer said. "He's come a long way and worked very, very hard. He's very coachable. We feel like he's really developed into a much better punt and kickoff catcher."