MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings' plan for Trae Waynes has suggested they are in no major rush to put the cornerback on the field during the first weeks of his rookie season. They've exposed the 11th overall pick to multiple cornerback positions in Mike Zimmer's defense, seeking to impart versatility and a broad understanding of the scheme to Waynes, and they signed Terence Newman to start outside at left cornerback, rather than rush Waynes.

That plan seemed to account for the possibility of nights like Sunday, and in light of it, Waynes' struggles in his first preseason game aren't a cause for major concern. He's learning how to play a difficult position in the NFL, like Xavier Rhodes did before him, and he'll have to figure out what referees see as physical coverage and what they deem illegal. Waynes was flagged three times on Sunday night, including once for holding when he got beat on a double move from Shakim Phillips on a 35-yard pass. On the Steelers' next series, Waynes drew a 38-yard pass interference penalty that put the ball on the Vikings' 2.

I thought it was interesting to hear NBC's Cris Collinsworth mention how the Vikings think Waynes might be a little too comfortable with his speed, believing it will get him out of bad situations. It sounded like the kind of detail to come from a production meeting, and it's an interesting insight into what Waynes will have to learn at this level. With Zimmer and defensive backs coach Jerry Gray, he's got an excellent support system around him. Assuming he masters the position, the Vikings will be in an enviable position, with two big, young corners and Harrison Smith in their secondary.

But Sunday night was a snapshot of how much Waynes will have to learn. He played almost the entire game Sunday, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Vikings give him a similar amount of playing time in ensuing weeks. They've got four more preseason games to use as teaching tools, and there'll be plenty for them to go over with the Michigan State product from Sunday night.