Injuries to Cordarrelle Patterson, Adrian Peterson don't worry Zimmer

The Vikings could not get through the first day of training camp unscathed.

Running back Adrian Peterson missed a portion of today's first camp practice as he nurses an offseason injury. Cordarrelle Patterson, meanwhile, left practice with what appeared to be a shoulder or collarbone injury.

Patterson suffered the injury at the tail end of a spectacular catch over cornerback Jabari Price. After running down the left sideline, the fourth-year receiver caught a deep ball from second-string quarterback Shaun Hill. But his left shoulder slammed into the ground as he completed the catch.

Patterson groaned loudly and stayed down on the turf until head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman took him inside for examination. Patterson tucked his left arm up against his torso as he slowly left the practice field.

Coach Mike Zimmer did not talk to reporters this afternoon, but he downplayed Patterson's injury during a radio appearance.

"He made a great catch and it wasn't his left hand or wrist, I can tell you that," Zimmer told KFAN-100.3 immediately after practice. "I don't think it's anything concerning, but they're taking a look at it."

As for Peterson, the veteran running back was spotted during early individual drills running light sprints from sideline to sideline on a vacant practice field with Sugarman. Peterson eventually grabbed his helmet and rejoined his fellow running backs. He even made a cameo in team drills near the end of practice and got carries, a sign that his injury was not serious.

Zimmer's comments to KFAN on Peterson backed up that notion.

"He tweaked himself a little bit in the offseason. He's going to be fine," he said. "He did the conditioning test today. We're just being careful with him."