Rice says he will be ready for Saturday practices

While his teammates were enduring two practices in Mankato, second-round pick Sidney Rice ran three miles on a treadmill in the Twin Cities.

But Rice told the Pioneer Press that he will be on the practice field Saturday morning.

"Actually, I’m going to sign my papers right now," Rice said Friday evening.

Rice said he was disappointed to miss the two practices Friday, but he is excited to quickly catch up.

"I know there’s a lot of stuff, and there’s a lot of stuff I have to catch up on," Rice said. "I didn’t want to miss time, but things happen. So I’ll have to get in and ask a lot of questions."

Fifth-round pick Aundrae Allison filled in for Rice as the third receiver in Friday's practices.

Rice's deal is for four years. Terms were not immediately available.