McKinnie Has Broken Hand

[Dr. Duran Duran]

MANKATO, Minn. -- What first was called a bruise now looks worse for Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie.

McKinnie said Friday morning that he has a partial fracture in his left hand and practiced with a heavy, cast-like wrap on it.

The big left tackle left practice early Wednesday after injuring the hand, though he returned to practice on Thursday and Friday.

"The good thing is that he's out there, that he's trying to tough it out," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. "He's still trying to get a feel for it. It's not exactly how they would have it for a game, but he's fighting through it. I know it's tough on him. We appreciate his hard work and just being out there for us."

McKinnie, who blossomed last year and is hoping to make the jump into the NFL's elite offensive linemen this season, said he didn't expect to miss much time. He teams with All-Pro left guard Steve Hutchinson and center Matt Birk to form one of the most formidable left sides in the league.

"Most likely you'll see me with a boxing glove on tomorrow," McKinnie joked.

McKinnie knows a little something about boxing. When he was in college at Miami, legend has it that the 6-foot-8, 343-pounder knocked out pro boxer Shannon Briggs with one punch in an altercation outside a Miami night club.

The Vikings certainly don't need him throwing any punches anytime soon, but Bevell didn't expect the injury to be an issue.

"Obviously he's taking care of it a little bit right now," Bevell said. "But he's still out there and he's getting the reps. By the time the games get here, we'll have that thing wrapped up so he'll be able to stick it in there."<