The uncertainty of Sidney Rice’s future with the Vikings hasn’t stopped the free-agent wide receiver from working with the team’s new quarterback.

First-round draft pick Christian Ponder said Monday he’s setting up workouts in Florida this week with Rice and Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin.

Ponder, the 12th overall pick from Florida State, already had planned a workout with Harvin in Tampa when Rice inquired about joining them through Twitter direct messaging.

Rice spends part of his offseason in Miami, and Harvin is working out in the Tampa area.

“I hope it happens,” Ponder said. “That’s something I’m looking forward to. It’d be great to spend time with those guys on the field.”

Rice might be a restricted free agent, depending on the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. If unrestricted, the former Pro Bowl player is free to go to the highest bidder.

As far as Ponder knows, he’s the only Viking with new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave’s playbook. He got a playbook on the second day of the draft, the only day the lockout was lifted.

He’s willing to share with teammates what’s become his preferred reading on airplanes.

The Vikings have yet to schedule player-organized workouts such as other teams, but running back Adrian Peterson told Ponder at Tim Tebow’s golf tournament in early May of his interest to reunite Vikings in the Houston area.

— Jeremy Fowler

Briefly: Denver Broncos cornerback Perrish Cox pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges that carry a maximum punishment of life in prison. Cox’s attorney entered the player’s plea during a hearing in suburban Denver, and district court Judge Paul King set a trial date of Oct. 18, six weeks into the NFL season if the labor dispute and lockout is resolved.

– The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have declined an invitation to be featured on HBO’s next edition of “Hard Knocks,” the team said on its Twitter account. The show won three Sports Emmys for its portrayal of the New York Jets in last year’s series.