Rice, Griffin to start camp on PUP list for Vikes

Published 12:53 pm Saturday, July 31, 2010

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings receiver Sidney Rice and cornerback Cedric Griffin are starting training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

Rice has a lingering hip injury that first surfaced during the playoffs last January. He participated in some offseason practices, but coach Brad Childress says the injury continues to bother him, so he will be out until it starts to feel better.

“It was his decision but also I’m not ready so we’ll take it day-to-day, see how things go and hopefully be back out here as soon as possible,” Rice said.

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Rice had a breakout season last year, catching 83 passes for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns and earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

The team considered surgery but ultimately decided to let it heal on its own. Rice said there is “no doubt” that he will be ready for the season opener on Sept. 6 in New Orleans.

“We’re going to just accelerate his time on the ground out here, his cardio and that type of thing, and we’ll see how he responds to that,” Childress said.

Griffin tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the NFC championship game. Childress says he is making good progress but is not yet ready to return to the field.

Players on the PUP list during training camp count against the 80-man roster limit.