Adrian Peterson sat out Oklahoma’s practice on Monday to nurse his ailing right ankle. Coach Bob Stoops said he hopes the sophomore running back will be able to play Saturday against No. 2 Texas.

Peterson aggravated the injury in the second quarter of the Sooners’ 43-21 win against Kansas State on Saturday. He wore a boot at Monday’s practice and was not allowed to speak to reporters.

“It’s better than it was (Sunday). It’s improved,” Stoops said. “They’re probably going to take that boot off (Tuesday). He’ll probably be ready to go, hopefully by Wednesday.”

Peterson left two other games with foot injuries this season, but he returned to finish the game both times. Stoops has said the injury was similar to the other ones, and Peterson could have played in the second half if the Sooners weren’t ahead 26-0.

Last season’s Heisman runner-up, Peterson rushed for 225 yards in Oklahoma’s 12-0 win over Texas last year. Longhorns coach Mack Brown said he expected Peterson – a Texas native – to be ready for the Red River Shootout.

Taming the bird

Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick apologized for making an obscene gesture to fans during Saturday’s 31-17 victory at West Virginia.

Vick was caught on camera quickly extending his middle finger toward the stands after being run out of bounds early in the third quarter.

“I apologize for letting my emotions get the best of me Saturday, ” Vick said in a statement issued by Virginia Tech on Sunday. “What I did was wrong and I am sorry. My goal is to be a leader of this team and do things the right way.”

Vick said he would have no further comment.

“In the heat of the moment, he made a mistake,” said Hokies assistant coach Billy Hite. “Marcus knows he can’t react like that.”

Vick, the younger brother of NFL star Michael Vick, earned co-ACC Offensive Back of the Week honors with his three-touchdown performance against West Virginia. On the season, he has passed for 880 yards and nine touchdowns to lead the Hokies to a 5-0 record.

Retiring the Minister