Don’t pencil rookie Trae Waynes into the Vikings’ starting lineup just yet.

Turns out Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is not as enthusiastic about Waynes’ chances to start the regular-season opener as defensive coordinator George Edwards might have made it appear.

Edwards said last week the Vikings are “aiming for” Waynes to start at cornerback Sept. 14 at San Francisco. But Zimmer said Monday he believes Edwards was speaking in general terms.

“I read that and I didn’t agree with what George said, to be honest with you,” Zimmer said. “I think it was interpreted incorrectly. I think when he said, ‘That’s what we’re all wanting him to do, is we all wanted them to start,’ I don’t think he specifically meant Trae. So we’ll see where that goes.”

With Zimmer not available to the media last Thursday, Edwards was asked if he thought Waynes could be ready to start the opener.

“Well, that’s what we’re aiming for, that’s what we’re all working for, but we’re just going to take it from week to week,” Edwards said.

It seems unlikely Waynes, taken with the No. 11 pick, will start Week 1. Veteran Terence Newman, who became a Zimmer favorite when the Vikings’ boss was a defensive coordinator coaching him in Dallas and Cincinnati, has started all four preseason games at left cornerback.

Waynes is showing improvement, and had what Zimmer called his best game so far in Saturday’s 28-14 win at Dallas.

“He was in position the entire night,” Zimmer said. “I’m not sure his guy caught any balls on him. His technique was much better this last time. I thought he was in the right position much better. There were some things we had to talk about on the sideline, but for the most part, I thought this was by far his best performance.”

Waynes might start the preseason finale Thursday at Tennessee. That’s because many starters, especially a 13-year veteran like Newman, won’t play in the final exhibition.

Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes said it will take some time for Waynes to develop. But Rhodes, a first-round draft pick in 2013, is expecting him to blossom.

“I see the confidence coming,” Rhodes said. “He’s going to be a great player in this league. Give him a few more years and he’ll be really great.”

Follow Chris Tomasson at twitter.com/christomasson.