EAGAN, Minn. — And, break!
The Vikings offseason program huddle wrapped on-field activities on Wednesday after the team's second day of mandatory minicamp.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell could have opted for a third day Thursday but wanted players to head toward their summer break as healthy as possible.
Training camp sounds far away for the moment, but the end of next month will be here before we know it.
The session was the fifth and final of the offseason that was open to media members. It included individual position drills, 7-on-7 passing drills and 11-on-11 team periods through a thick blanket of smoke that moved in from wildfires in Canada.
Here are three observations from Wednesday's minicamp practice presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
View photos of Vikings players during minicamp at the TCO Performance Center.
1. Rookie unrattled
All eyes shifted to undrafted rookie Jack Podlesny for the final team snap of the offseason program.
O'Connell had the kicker line up for a 55-yard field goal and instructed teammates to make noise and close in on the former Georgia kicker and simulate a high-pressure situation.
With a wave of white and purple practice jerseys encircling him, Podlesny made the kick.
He and returning veteran kicker Greg Joseph turned in solid showings during the 11-on-11 periods at open practices, positioning them for a strong competition at training camp.
View photos of Vikings players during minicamp at the TCO Performance Center.
2. Pick a pair
Harrison Smith, the longest-tenured Viking, and fellow safety Lewis Cine each recorded interceptions on Wednesday.
Smith read a pass by Kirk Cousins over the middle of the end zone during 7-on-7 drills. He's entering his 12th season with 34 career interceptions and showed he's still a ballhawk.
Cine also nabbed a pass in the red zone that was thrown by Nick Mullens. It was a nice cherry to finish the offseason sundae for Cine, who participated without limitations during the offseason program from the broken leg he suffered in Week 4 of his rookie season.
Cornerback Akayleb Evans had a pick during the end of the situational drill, but the ball fell incomplete. Three plays earlier, Cousins whizzed a pass to K.J. Osborn despite cornerback Byron Murphy, Jr., driving on the football. Osborn secured the catch.
3. Catching two
Josh Oliver showed why there's likely to be more to him than a blocking tight end by catching a pair of touchdowns during 7-on-7 red zone drills.
Oliver was wide open on one he caught shy of the goal line and then secured the other in traffic.
Although Oliver has two receiving touchdowns to his credit so far in 35 NFL games, his size and versatility could add to the mix of what the Vikings can do in goal-to-go situations and in the red zone.
