By Chris Tomasson

Pioneer Press

Mike Zimmer said the Vikings are not trying to trade linebacker Anthony Barr, who is entering the final year of his contract and has not yet agreed to an extension.

The Vikings coach opened a news conference Friday by saying he wanted to debunk a report about Barr possibly being on the trading block. He did not say what outlet reported that.

“I was made aware of an erroneous report about Anthony Barr,” Zimmer told reporters. “Anthony is my guy, No. 1. We are unequivocally not trying to trade Anthony. He’s the first draft pick I ever had with me (in first round in 2014). He’s helped this defense (become) pretty good. There’s none whatsoever truth to that rumor.”

Barr sat out team drills in Thursday’s practice and declined afterward to say why.

“He had a tweak and we kept him out of practice for a while,” Zimmer said Friday.

Barr returned to practice Friday and said afterward he felt fine. He said he had seen Zimmer’s comments earlier in the day and was appreciative.

“It’s great,” Barr said. “We have a great relationship. I’ve never worried about being traded or anything like that, but reassurance is always nice.”

Zimmer was scheduled to speak to beat writers after practice on Friday but adjusted the schedule to speak to a larger media group in the morning so he could address Barr’s contract situation.

“We’re trying to get him signed,” Zimmer said. “Hopefully, we can. But that’s between upstairs and his people. So, we’d love to have him here. I said he’s my guy, the first guy that I drafted. I want him to get the best deal he can possibly get, but in a selfish way I want him to be here, too.”

Barr is making $12.3 million this season and has declined during training camp to provide details of contract negotiations. Last October, he knocked Aaron Rodgers out for eight weeks with a hit that broke the Green Bay quarterback’s collarbone. He was not penalized for the play.