Offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie isn’t likely to get closure on his latest legal problems before the Vikings report to training camp on July 23 and his status with the NFL also remains in limbo. When the latter situation will get resolved is anyone’s guess at this point.

McKinnie had his criminal case continued again Friday during a hearing in Miami-Dade County Court and now is scheduled for a Sept. 24 court date at which he does not have to be present. As pointed out before, however, the NFL is not required to wait for the legal system to play out before imposing punishment and a possible suspension on McKinnie.

That’s because McKinnie, who met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in late May, is a repeat offender of the league’s personal-conduct policy. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail Tuesday that he had “nothing to report” on the McKinnie situation or the fact that the player’s next hearing is scheduled for a date that will be three weeks into the regular season.

Nonetheless, there is a chance the NFL will act on the McKinnie situation before that next court date. If McKinnie does find himself suspended, look for Artis Hicks to replace him at left tackle.

• As part of the NFL’s attempt to give younger players a greater appreciation for the history of the sport, rookies from each team have been visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, this offseason. The Vikings visited on Monday.
• Got back into town Monday after spending three days watching the Cubs sweep the White Sox at Wrigley Field. The rivalry — or at least the games at Wrigley — remind me a bit of the Vikings-Packers games. Sure, there are some fans who are over-the-top obnoxious but for the most part things seemed pretty good-natured. Can’t say the same about the Yankees-Mets rivalry.
• Want to welcome Chip Scoggins to the Vikings beat. Chip did an outstanding job on the Gophers football beat and will replace Kevin Seifert to join me in covering the Vikings.

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