-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallie

CINCINNATI -- Trae Waynes gets a chance to show how far hes come in the year since the Minnesota Vikings made him their top pick.Veteran cornerback Terence Newman didnt make the trip to Ohio this week as the Vikings held two days of joint practices with one of his former clubs, the Cincinnati Bengals. Hell miss the preseason opener on Friday night because of an undisclosed injury, giving Waynes an opportunity.Waynes succumbed to hot and humid conditions on Wednesday, the first day of joint practices, but returned on Thursday and is expected to start the preseason game. He started only one game last season but led the Vikings in special teams tackles in an understudy role to Newman and Xavier Rhodes.We wish (Newman) could be here, but Im just going to try to take advantage of this opportunity, he said. Ill keep learning and progressing.Waynes is one of four former first-round picks playing for the Vikings, along with Newman (Dallas 2003), Rhodes (2013) and safety Harrison Smith (2012). Although he got sick on Wednesday, he returned a day later and covered A.J. Green.It was frustrating that I had to miss practice, but it was the smart thing to do at the time, Waynes said. Its a chance to get better going up a great receiver like (Green). It is only going to make you better because the competition level is so high with that.Waynes made his first career interception last January in the Vikings 10-9 NFC Wild Card playoff game loss to Seattle. The interception and 24-yard return in the third quarter set up a 43-yard field goal by Blair Walsh, a kick that gave Minnesota a 6-0 lead. That game was played in minus-25 wind chill conditions at TCF Bank Stadium.The conditions in Cincinnati the last two days for the joint practices have been the complete opposite. Temperatures have been in the upper 80s with humidity levels that have pushed the heat index toward triple digits.It was nice and hot out here, both days, so that was good, coach Mike Zimmer. I thought it was a very productive two days.Zimmer wasnt willing to divulge much about how much his starters would play, but quarterback Teddy Bridgewater isnt expected to see much time on the field after getting the bulk of the snaps against the Bengals in the practices.As is the case for most preseason games, Friday night will be more about backups than the starters.This game doesnt wait on anybody, said quarterback Shaun Hill, a 15-year veteran who is No. 2 on the depth chart behind Bridgewater. There are a lot of people on every NFL roster that have a lot to prove every single week in order to make a team. Thats the approach that you have to take. I know a lot of people just talk about the starters and how theyre in and out, but for the majority of the roster its a battle for four weeks to get on a team.Game notes Besides Newman, nine other players did not make the trip to Cincinnati. Wide receiver Jarius Wright (injury), cornerback Melvin White, cornerback Marcus Sherels, running back Jhurrell Pressley, linebacker Edmond Robinson (injury), linebacker Eric Kendricks (injury), linebacker Brandon Watts (injury), defensive tackle Sharif Floyd (injury) and defensive tackle Scott Crichton (injury) didnt travel for the practices. White, Sherels and Pressley were dealing with personal issues, Zimmer said, but it is possible they could be back with the team in time for Fridays game. ... Right tackle Andre Smith, who left Cincinnati as a free agent and signed with the Vikings, spent several minutes after practice catching up with Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. Theres no hard feelings, Smith said. I feel like I had a good opportunity in Minnesota.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Bradley Zimmer Jersey . 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CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant left Mondays game against the Cincinnati Reds with what was called a lower left leg contusion after he collided with center fielder Albert Almora Jr. in the fifth inning of the Cubs 10-4 win, but manager Joe Maddon said Bryant should be OK.He should be fine tomorrow [Tuesday], Maddon said of Bryant, who hit his league-leading 24th home run in the game. Im anticipating putting his name in the lineup tomorrow.Maddon indicated that if the Cubs hadnt been blowing out the Reds at the time, Bryant would probably have stayed in the game. ?Bryant was shaken up for a moment but stayed in the game to finish the inning. Replays showed both players calling for the ball.Almora shouldered most of the blame.Its my fault, Almora said. Ill take full responsibility for that. It was toward his side. I dont hear anything, and I dont want to let a ball drop out there. I called it at the veryy end, but it was too late.dddddddddddd.Matt Szczur pinch hit for Bryant in the following inning, as the Cubs were up big on the Reds.?Bryant has 24 home runs and 63 RBIs and is likely to be named the All-Star Game starter at third base when final fan voting is released Tuesday.The Cubs are dealing with several injured players, including regular center fielder Dexter Fowler?and?semi-regular left fielder Jorge Soler. Bryant has played more in left while Soler has been out.Getting dressed next to Almora as he spoke with reporters was injured catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber, who was lost for the season after an April collision with Fowler.Albert is just an aggressive center fielder, Maddon said. Hes so darn good. ... We just have to be more verbal. Loud, loud when you make that call. ' ' '