Rookie linebacker Eric Kendricks works with Vikings' first team, veterans

Eric Kendricks made up for his relative lack of height with athleticism and intelligence while at UCLA.

Although the Vikings have only gone through organized team activities, the rookie has displayed both strengths. Listed at 6 feet and 232 pounds, Kendricks was used mainly at first-team middle linebacker on Thursday.

"He's farther ahead than most rookies," Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said about Kendricks' acumen. "It's a lot different [at the NFL level]. [Anthony] Barr was pretty sharp when he came in [as a rookie] last year. They're all different. Eric has been doing a good job. He's obviously got a lot of athletic ability."

Kendricks has a shot to become a starter this season and play between Barr, his former teammate at UCLA, and veteran Chad Greenway.

Kendricks said he has leaned on Barr and the veterans on the team since he arrived at Winter Park to help ease the adjustment from college to the NFL.

"They're showing me little clues, little steps here and there that I'm picking up out of college," Kendricks said. "I'm picking it up slowly, but I'm willing to work. As long as I'm willing to work, I know that I'll pick it up faster."

Despite his size, Kendricks said he has been comfortable dropping back in coverage as the middle linebacker in nickel coverage so far, even hinting that at times he's a little too comfortable.

"I want to cover too much too fast, and I'm not patient enough," Kendricks said. "They're just trying to get my eyes right, slow me down a little bit, not get so anxious and realize I have help in certain situations."

Defensive end Brian Robison, Barr and offensive tackle Phil Loadholt are expected to participate during minicamp next week in some form, Zimmer said, after being limited or held out of OTAs because of injuries.

Robison participated in individual drills, but he worked on his conditioning during team periods. He's recovering from a pectoral injury suffered during an offseason workout last month.

"We're going to be careful with [Robison]," Zimmer said. "We may give him some of the individual work and some of the situation stuff, but we're going to be careful with him."

Barr missed the final four games last season because of a knee injury, but Zimmer said he's been held out of OTAs for an undisclosed injury.

"He's over the hump now," Zimmer said. "I anticipate him getting some [reps] next week. I don't know how much."

Zimmer said he'll discuss with running back Adrian Peterson on whether he'll play during the preseason this year. Peterson typically would sit out during the preseason, but he played just one game last year and hasn't seen live game action since last September.

"If he doesn't feel like he needs any [preseason games], then I'm not worried about it," Zimmer said.

"If he feels like he needs to get some, maybe we'll get him a couple of carries. He's going to get so many reps in training camp, so I'm honestly not worried about it."

Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn missed practice again because of a right foot injury, but he was out of his walking boot.