EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Vikings are finished with Organized Team Activity practices at Winter Park — for both 2017 and beyond.
The team is scheduled to move into their new headquarters, Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, in Eagan next spring.
The Vikings practiced in helmets and shorts Thursday morning for approximately 90 minutes on a picturesque day.
Minnesota will now hold a mandatory minicamp next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Here are three observations from Thursday's practice:
1. Scaled down 7-on-7 drill
The 7-on-7 drill is a popular one during spring practices as it gives the offense and defense a chance to work on passing situations.
The Vikings scaled that down to one side of the field Thursday, as they instead focused on 3-on-3 drills. The matchup pitted wide receivers and tight ends against linebackers and defensive backs.
Tight end Kyle Rudolph got open on a deep route before cornerback Mackensie Alexander made a nice pass break up in coverage of wide receiver Cayleb Jones.
Wide receiver Jarius Wright snuck behind the defense for a would-be touchdown before wide receiver Michael Floyd extended over the middle for an eye-catching snag.
2. Hodges impresses during hurry-up session
The collection of Vikings rookies have all flashed potential during OTAs, and Thursday was tight end Bucky Hodges' turn to shine.
The sixth-round pick stood out during the final portion of Thursday's practice. Minnesota's offense started at its own 30-yard line and had to drive the length of the field with 50 seconds left.
Quarterback Case Keenum connected with Hodges on a 20-yard play where the tight end got out of bounds to stop the clock. Hodges then made a heads-up play by immediately going to the ground after an 11-yard grab to allow the offense to spike the ball.
3. Symmank stands out on special teams
The Vikings worked on a handful of punting situations Thursday, and punter Taylor Symmank had a good showing.
Punting from his own 30-yard line, Symmank boomed a roughly 60-yard punt that would have potentially flipped the field position for the Vikings.
Minnesota then worked on shorter punts, with Symmank pinning the opponent deep twice.
His first punt from the opponent's 45-yard line rolled to a stop inside the 5-yard line, and safety Jayron Kearse showed great hustle to down the next punt at the 1-yard line.
Kearse was one of a handful of players who lined up at gunner, a list that included cornerback Marcus Sherels, wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, Alexander and running back Jerick McKinnon.
