EAGAN, Minn. — Fans got their initial in-person look at the 2023 Vikings at Saturday's first open training camp practice.
They were treated to a pleasant summer day and a couple of deep passes from Kirk Cousins to Justin Jefferson with a side of The Griddy.
Earlier in practice, Jefferson had jogged by the bleachers and received a robust round of applause.
The crowd also roared when the phenom ran toward them on the two long pass plays.
Players wore shells under their jerseys for the second consecutive day. They'll have Sunday off before returning to action Monday and donning pads for the first time in camp.
Not participating: Jalen Nailor, Danielle Hunter and Brian O'Neill did not participate; O'Neill continued his rehab work. Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum took reps with the first team at outside linebacker; Olisaemeka Udoh took reps at right tackle in place of O'Neill.
Sidelined during practice: Second-year tackle Vederian Lowe left the field during practice and headed into the training room.
Here are three observations from Saturday's session presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
1. Picky, picky, picky, picky
The Vikings first two picks of the 2022 NFL Draft recorded picks on Saturday.
Safety Lewis Cine showed the ability and athleticism that helped make him a first-round pick last season by reading the play and driving hard on the ball thrown to the outside by Nick Mullens. Cine dived and secured the grab to halt the end-of-half situational drill between the second-team offense and defense.
The offense had started the drive with 55 seconds and moved the ball with a chunk pass play to tight end Johnny Mundt one play before the pick.
Andrew Booth, Jr., who was selected 10 spots after the Vikings tabbed Cine at 32 last year, recorded his interception earlier in practice, nabbing a pass by Cousins in a first-team offense vs. second-team defense drill. The interception provided a bounce-back for Booth, who had allowed Jefferson to get behind him on a deep post pass to Jefferson moments earlier.
In addition to Cine and Booth, two newcomers also recorded interceptions. Mekhi Blackmon, a third-rounder who was Minnesota's second pick of 2023, and undrafted free agent NaJee Thompson recorded interceptions of fellow rookie Jaren Hall.
2. Kickers dialed in
The Vikings have a kicking competition between returnee Greg Joseph and undrafted free agent Jack Podlesny.
Both were dialed in with their reps on Saturday, the first time they've kicked during a team period in camp.
Joseph capped the first-team offense's drive in the situational drill with a field goal before following with an accurate kick from the length of an extra point and five more field goals. He was 7-for-7 on his kicks.
Even though the Cine interception would have denied Podlesny the opportunity to kick a similar field goal, the Vikings had him line up to do it. He was accurate on that, as well as an extra point and two more field goals to finish 4-for-4.
3. Running it out
The Vikings are heading their way into on off day, but they didn't coast into a Sunday Funday.
After huddling up for a message from Head Coach Kevin O'Connell, the team grouped up to run sprints.
Offensive and defensive linemen ran 30-yard sprints; quarterbacks, fullbacks, tight ends and linebackers ran 40-yard sprints; receivers, running backs and defensive backs ran 50-yard sprints.
