August 5, 2010; Mankato, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Bryant McKinnie (right) works on a blocking drill with Chris DeGeare (72) during training camp at Blakeslee Field at Minnesota State University-Mankato. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Friday night the Vikings open the 2012 preseason against the San Francisco 49ers. Here are five under-the-radar players who will be worth keeping an eye on after the starters come out.

1. Kerry Taylor

The 2011 practice squad contributor has been getting a suspiciously high number of looks with the 1st and 2nd team. This could just be the Vikings scrambling to make sense of their wide receiver situation, which got even more muddled after Greg Childs’ injury, or it could mean they really like Taylor a lot. The initial depth chart lists him fourth at “Z” receiver after Percy Harvin, Stephen Burton and Jarius Wright, but again, it’s an initial depth chart and therefore pretty much worthless. With Childs out, Michael Jenkins getting old and Devin Aromashodu being Devin Aromashodu, there’s a chance for someone like Taylor to rise up and snatch a spot.

2. Jordan Todman

He’s fighting through an ankle problem right now but he was at practice Monday and it looks like he’ll play Friday. The Vikes will get a good look at their 3rd, 4th and 5th running backs with Adrian Peterson on active/PUP and Toby Gerhart figuring to get very limited action if he plays at all. The #3 RB spot would seem to be a dogfight between Lex Hilliard and Todman, with Derrick Coleman on the outside looking in. Todman probably has more value as a change-of-pace back but Hilliard has him in grittiness and experience.

Update: Todman will sit out Friday’s game with a bad ankle.

3. Reggie Jones

Sorting out the secondary will be a tough task right up until opening day. Thanks to Josh Robinson’s early camp injury and Antoine Winfield being on a pitch count, the Vikings have gotten a good look at second-tier guys like Reggie Jones, who by all accounts has made the most of the opportunity.

4. Allen Reisner

Reisner’s been on people’s radar screens ever since Visanthe Shiancoe declared him to be the real deal. With John Carlson’s injury, Reisner now has a chance to validate that opinion. For what it’s worth, he’s currently ahead of Mickey Shuler on the depth chart.

5. Chris DeGeare

The initial depth chart lists DeGeare as the back-up to Charlie Johnson at left guard but he’s still in the mix at right guard too. Brandon Fusco is the presumptive starter but Leslie Frazier has made it clear that Fusco doesn’t yet have the job locked up. Joe Berger is still supposedly in the mix at right guard as well but he has the most value as a back-up center/guard. I still think Fusco will likely win the RG job but I wouldn’t be shocked if DeGeare comes on and steals it.

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Jun 19, 2012; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs drills by himself at Vikings Minicamp at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

The Vikings play their first preseason game this Friday against San Francisco and, to no one’s surprise, they will do so without Adrian Peterson. Peterson has been on active/PUP all training camp as he rehabs his knee  and there is no plan to change his status before Friday, so obviously he won’t be getting in the game (even Adrian can’t talk THAT fancy). The Vikings aren’t going to rush Adrian back especially in the preseason. We’ve heard the team wants him to see at least some action before the regular season opener but I have to believe that’s more wishful thinking than anything.

Toby Gerhart will get the start in Peterson’s place, but as Tom Pelissero tells us, Gerhart’s reps will be limited as well (aren’t starters’ reps always limited in the first preseason game Tom?). It’s probably prudent to keep Gerhart’s workload as small as possible given that he is also coming back from an injury (and if Adrian suffers a set-back in rehab, well, Toby’s pretty much all we have running back-wise).

We might see buzz-worthy Jordan Todman Friday but he’s coming back from an ankle himself so who knows. Lex Hilliard figures to see the bulk of the carries if Todman can’t go, with UFA and official inspiring athlete Derrick Coleman also in line for some snaps.

Now might be a good time to remind everyone of the preseason schedule. Here it is:

Friday August 10th @ San Francisco (8 PM CT WUCW)

Friday August 17th vs. Buffalo (7 PM CT KARE)

Friday August 24th vs. San Diego (7 PM CT KARE)

Thursday August 30th @ Houston (6 PM CT KARE)

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August 11, 2011, San Diego, CA: San Diego Chargers running back Jordan Todman (40) carries the ball in the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jody Gomez-US PRESSWIRE

The first week of camp is all about picking bandwagons to jump on. Lots of people two years ago jumped on Jaymar Johnson but that didn’t work out so hot. What under-the-radar guy is getting the possibly silly early Jaymar Johnson buzz this year? Seems like Jordan Todman is the main guy so far. The second-year running back out of Connecticut by way of the San Diego Chargers, who picked him in the sixth round last year, has been singled out for mention by several camp observers including the ever-objective Mike Wobschall of Vikings.com. Wobby said of Todman:

RB Jordan Todman flashed his greatest asset – speed – during the second-to-last team period of practice. Todman took a handoff that appeared to be designed to go inside and bounced out wide left. Todman gained the edge on the defense and raced down the left sideline for what would’ve been a TD run of at least 65 yards.

Normally I would totally ignore such an early camp report but I think in Todman’s case a little attention is warranted. Three reasons: 1) Todman is small and fast, which makes him a good candidate as a change-of-pace back in the third spot behind Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart (just don’t compare him to Darren Sproles unless you want Charger fans to call you stupid). 2) There’s no clear-cut favorite for that #3 RB spot so Todman has a legit shot to make the team. 3) With Adrian possibly missing the first few games or at least having his carries limited, whoever wins the #3 RB spot is going to actually be called upon to contribute. So that person could have an actual impact on games. And that makes the competition between Todman, Lex Hilliard and whoever else is in the mix at RB more intriguing than it normally would be.

So we’ll keep our eye on speedy Mr. Todman. Hopefully he won’t go the way of Jaymar Johnson.

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