EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings returned to action Monday and did so under TCO Stadium's lights for the annual night practice.
The session occurred on a cloudless night one week after the tradition was postponed by storms.
Prior to the practice, which concluded the sessions open to the public, Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell announced rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy would not be participating because of knee soreness.
O'Connell said McCarthy could have kept playing in Saturday's preseason opener against the Raiders but had hit the approximate desired snap count (30) on his second touchdown of the game. O'Connell said the Vikings wanted to be smart while McCarthy undergoes further testing.
Sam Darnold quarterbacked the first team, Nick Mullens was with the 2s and Jaren Hall worked with the developmental squad.
Players had Sunday off and arrived a little later than they normally would have on Monday because of the night practice.
In addition to McCarthy, the following Vikings did not participate: Shaq Griffin, Dallas Turner, Jabril Cox, Gabriel Murphy, Dan Feeney, Robert Tonyan and Harrison Phillips.
Griffen, Murphy and Tonyan have been working through camp injuries. Turner, Feeney and Phillips played Saturday. Their status was not discussed. O'Connell mentioned Cox after the game and said the linebacker is dealing with a groin injury.
Dalton Risner participated in some positional drills, and Jerry Tillery was back to participating.
Aaron Jones, Sr., and Jonathan Greenard also participated after not practicing a couple of days last week.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of September 2, 2024.
![3 WR Jordan Addison](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/g8m9it1pxqc212tz9477.jpg)
3 WR Jordan Addison
![3 WR Jordan Addison](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/nopebzbbbwqv3wc0jxrp.jpg)
3 WR Jordan Addison
![6 LB Brian Asamoah II](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/ctr44b2tqt5cdeng2ccx.jpg)
6 LB Brian Asamoah II
![6 LB Brian Asamoah II](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/sj5sijy492nwvdf577yv.jpg)
6 LB Brian Asamoah II
![56 C Garrett Bradbury](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/yk8kbqnagmcljzlrcpvn.jpg)
56 C Garrett Bradbury
![56 C Garrett Bradbury](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/psczvikcuif0vcqyxf2f.jpg)
56 C Garrett Bradbury
![64 G Blake Brandel](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/onee4kxsm3wm27k9gs28.jpg)
64 G Blake Brandel
![64 G Blake Brandel](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/brdlzkb2lemstr2caais.jpg)
64 G Blake Brandel
![90 DL Jonathan Bullard](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/s9i4pz8apmjlkkvhzxs7.jpg)
90 DL Jonathan Bullard
![90 DL Jonathan Bullard](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/o8d6ky5pl9dplgj6xj9q.jpg)
90 DL Jonathan Bullard
![24 S Camryn Bynum](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/xk7scutc4z1bvhx7a7sl.jpg)
24 S Camryn Bynum
![24 S Camryn Bynum](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/q8muybqx10hejxli17f6.jpg)
24 S Camryn Bynum
![51 LB Blake Cashman](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/psetuyg0fxo099zvpcvn.jpg)
51 LB Blake Cashman
![51 LB Blake Cashman](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/nhob9vluje90c8rvp3uf.jpg)
51 LB Blake Cashman
![32 RB Ty Chandler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/m3n5tektzfbnyvplveb5.jpg)
32 RB Ty Chandler
![32 RB Ty Chandler](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/jbmijbf6ui8nlvvnh5fs.jpg)
32 RB Ty Chandler
![14 QB Sam Darnold](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/wvzs7bfpaizpp43ku733.jpg)
14 QB Sam Darnold
![QB Sam Darnold](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_png/vikings/zfsd0kdsqnnmgafotfug.png)
QB Sam Darnold
![71 T Christian Darrisaw](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/ni4wxsbrtnbw3lx8spyv.jpg)
71 T Christian Darrisaw
![71 T Christian Darrisaw](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/w5to4df9l94as4djuk9e.jpg)
71 T Christian Darrisaw
![42 LS Andrew DePaola](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/f3abt2np9ncpyjvlbtqx.jpg)
42 LS Andrew DePaola
![42 LS Andrew DePaola](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/bv0eeel6revq8v8bxal0.jpg)
42 LS Andrew DePaola
![21 CB Akayleb Evans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/fkq79nrc3j1docpnm4wk.jpg)
21 CB Akayleb Evans
![21 CB Akayleb Evans](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/kj4nvc3b0gjcib5v8wuy.jpg)
21 CB Akayleb Evans
![69 C/G Dan Feeney](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/dr1e5x6zchkuo2ej2pck.jpg)
69 C/G Dan Feeney
![69 C/G Dan Feeney](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/xkayvgapafyun66r0idf.jpg)
69 C/G Dan Feeney
![2 CB Stephon Gilmore](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/oz9xsluey3orcjyv0hem.jpg)
2 CB Stephon Gilmore
![2 CB Stephon Gilmore](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_png/vikings/wvcqj6m28slvrlz4apvp.png)
2 CB Stephon Gilmore
![58 OLB Jonathan Greenard](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/krd7i7rsioqth32yxywc.jpg)
58 OLB Jonathan Greenard
![58 OLB Jonathan Greenard](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/uax3t5toq4irwlxd0ehp.jpg)
58 OLB Jonathan Greenard
![1 CB Shaq Griffin](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_png/vikings/ikwkkdasrhvl9xnvloyy.png)
1 CB Shaq Griffin
![1 CB Shaq Griffin](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/gtl9phnguu5lt8epb7gy.jpg)
1 CB Shaq Griffin
![54 LB Kamu Grugier-Hill](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/d5hphquplwmstgkibytn.jpg)
54 LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
![54 LB Kamu Grugier-Hill](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/gboddonuvc66ikvirmwb.jpg)
54 LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
![30 FB C.J. Ham](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/ejgelzxxzv8qyutff9he.jpg)
30 FB C.J. Ham
![30 FB C.J. Ham](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/jrvrqijvrnl9baq4sf98.jpg)
30 FB C.J. Ham
![67 G Ed Ingram](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/flawzoaegpsgn8tqw06n.jpg)
67 G Ed Ingram
![67 G Ed Ingram](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/ma5gzt0d1kw0fv1xcjpt.jpg)
67 G Ed Ingram
![26 S Theo Jackson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/ap7v8xalyyd1whv8ymyc.jpg)
26 S Theo Jackson
![26 S Theo Jackson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/znuosmemcdnea3mxi89i.jpg)
26 S Theo Jackson
![8 WR Trishton Jackson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/yhidrft15fqbgrnylxhz.jpg)
8 WR Trishton Jackson
![WR Trishton Jackson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_png/vikings/hcyvhg8appk0qfkqoglm.png)
WR Trishton Jackson
![18 WR Justin Jefferson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/rrmtngrokcmufr6nuolr.jpg)
18 WR Justin Jefferson
![18 WR Justin Jefferson](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/hlb1mvzfxwx0sit8ahmw.jpg)
18 WR Justin Jefferson
![33 RB Aaron Jones](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/dpwzttovjc9ng0uieksz.jpg)
33 RB Aaron Jones
![33 RB Aaron Jones](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/porg2zbtnynogqzi2jku.jpg)
33 RB Aaron Jones
![91 OLB Pat Jones II](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/omyjsbckfmuzrhx6eo84.jpg)
91 OLB Pat Jones II
![91 OLB Pat Jones II](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/yvbpwvi2r4rufavxjbza.jpg)
91 OLB Pat Jones II
![65 OL Michael Jurgens](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/auzw6jki14rtorkissjp.jpg)
65 OL Michael Jurgens
![65 OL Michael Jurgens](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/vfqtq3ibbmvakpejsicv.jpg)
65 OL Michael Jurgens
![29 CB Dwight McGlothern](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/zh4rqo7zyu0jsxpianxc.jpg)
29 CB Dwight McGlothern
![29 CB Dwight McGlothern](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/efht5opkgqdlimdmksvf.jpg)
29 CB Dwight McGlothern
![44 S Josh Metellus](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/jueajc1rwgfsvlsrrcgv.jpg)
44 S Josh Metellus
![44 S Josh Metellus](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/xnu4md4avi9xraokj7va.jpg)
44 S Josh Metellus
![23 CB Fabian Moreau](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_png/vikings/ayp5gnvaojtrvgxmow5t.png)
23 CB Fabian Moreau
![23 CB Fabian Moreau](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_png/vikings/rxwz14wyjflev834v2qr.png)
23 CB Fabian Moreau
![12 QB Nick Mullens](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/pmj0vp6fp95b5tv3mszh.jpg)
12 QB Nick Mullens
![12 QB Nick Mullens](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/dmvegmbzbozqjjsg75tw.jpg)
12 QB Nick Mullens
![86 TE Johnny Mundt](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/utw4y28fhdigyszbwmbv.jpg)
86 TE Johnny Mundt
![86 TE Johnny Mundt](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/zf8rphfbpfdhamb7fsov.jpg)
86 TE Johnny Mundt
![7 CB Byron Murphy](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/wfatpyqvaxbqyqswmgpc.jpg)
7 CB Byron Murphy
![7 CB Byron Murphy Jr.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/srvxijusbgkowmweuyvk.jpg)
7 CB Byron Murphy Jr.
![34 TE Nick Muse](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/d85x0cxupdt9ea9egxhg.jpg)
34 TE Nick Muse
![34 TE Nick Muse](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/ho8ufpexdj8yuxe4hkly.jpg)
34 TE Nick Muse
![83 WR Jalen Nailor](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/g6mcuied4uxlemghil0i.jpg)
83 WR Jalen Nailor
![83 WR Jalen Nailor](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/bknymicdbxqabafoj14m.jpg)
83 WR Jalen Nailor
![75 T Brian O'Neill](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/zpwxglrsx2qdnjdfg3ds.jpg)
75 T Brian O'Neill
![75 T Brian O'Neill](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/cj2b63bipinb24rcm5lj.jpg)
75 T Brian O'Neill
![84 TE Josh Oliver](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/gtcvyvpokyod6f2fjgwz.jpg)
84 TE Josh Oliver
![84 TE Josh Oliver](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/yowezcn5s4atc0vapfjv.jpg)
84 TE Josh Oliver
![0 LB Ivan Pace Jr.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/ufxpfwaex1n1uxqpfufs.jpg)
0 LB Ivan Pace Jr.
![0 Ivan Pace Jr.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/e5aphd5r2j8ybjlqtirw.jpg)
0 Ivan Pace Jr.
![57 DL Harrison Phillips](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/dbwp7771onoc6c0sqsuo.jpg)
57 DL Harrison Phillips
![97 DL Harrison Phillips](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/gkhnsm745pcewan4dmt7.jpg)
97 DL Harrison Phillips
![4 WR Brandon Powell](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/ukzkqfwnxrmsonolru9o.jpg)
4 WR Brandon Powell
![4 WR Brandon Powell](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/xyofqehfoik1sjseml77.jpg)
4 WR Brandon Powell
![76 T David Quessenberry](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/vqruv8aurgwjzklvxjbg.jpg)
76 T David Quessenberry
![76 T David Quessenberry](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/hzaqvyrj3zmkk8pagiis.jpg)
76 T David Quessenberry
![61 DL Jalen Redmond](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_png/vikings/t4saxumroyz8nlzuompz.png)
61 DL Jalen Redmond
![61 DL Jalen Redmond](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/ag9soszvkxibymufxb87.jpg)
61 DL Jalen Redmond
![16 K Will Reichard](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/wtmp4rs91d6uuwy3mtsd.jpg)
16 K Will Reichard
![16 K Will Reichard](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/sbvxm50loh9que1h6lta.jpg)
16 K Will Reichard
![50 DL Levi Drake Rodriguez](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/p6euvq7iuhnxzezngmqs.jpg)
50 DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
![DL Levi Drake Rodriguez](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/oflsx43zont5hp2ixtxx.jpg)
DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
![78 T Walter Rouse](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/vnrhkwfizr7pgfuvw2tb.jpg)
78 T Walter Rouse
![78 T Walter Rouse](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/eo0mpfx87ncpi1klh2ov.jpg)
78 T Walter Rouse
![QB Brett Rypien](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_png/vikings/r2kepqm7ymsiyeztoapm.png)
QB Brett Rypien
![QB Brett Rypien](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_png/vikings/pyosovbnp1nj7tv7rmuy.png)
QB Brett Rypien
![11 WR Trent Sherfield Sr.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/vyhlztqr02ow7masosel.jpg)
11 WR Trent Sherfield Sr.
![11 WR Trent Sherfield Sr.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/bqsxiq7xrueb53qohfff.jpg)
11 WR Trent Sherfield Sr.
![22 S Harrison Smith](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/urgylrqkvajmp3bgtdi3.jpg)
22 S Harrison Smith
![22 S Harrison Smith](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/siw4oqwus0jnsy3hvsul.jpg)
22 S Harrison Smith
![94 DL Taki Taimani](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/etracmn5qfxllaxwy3vc.jpg)
94 DL Taki Taimani
![94 DL Taki Taimani](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/mlvte3thzrg1bovtni2d.jpg)
94 DL Taki Taimani
![99 DL Jerry Tillery](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/xva50al02fj6s6vnf2gt.jpg)
99 DL Jerry Tillery
![99 DL Jerry Tillery](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/ddo7my5ful3u4maetwvu.jpg)
99 DL Jerry Tillery
![15 OLB Dallas Turner](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/punsv7nzjhdvutorntyc.jpg)
15 OLB Dallas Turner
![15 OLB Dallas Turner](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/itep5924wxav9heflztd.jpg)
15 OLB Dallas Turner
![43 OLB Andrew Van Ginkel](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/qpmtgvdibz1wstaoykoz.jpg)
43 OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
![43 OLB Andrew Van Ginkel](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_png/vikings/uoenlvwjnf1xmkpgm2u5.png)
43 OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
![20 S Jay Ward](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/prtudswzxxrl8yhljeqz.jpg)
20 S Jay Ward
![20 S Jay Ward](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/z9n0clmjj7ekix1ugih5.jpg)
20 S Jay Ward
![52 OLB Jihad Ward](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/dwrzrcczaploypj0ahes.jpg)
52 OLB Jihad Ward
![52 OLB Jihad Ward](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/kkyxuyt6busmnzgsgnff.jpg)
52 OLB Jihad Ward
![17 P Ryan Wright](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/zkxcdyfp5m9givkisgsp.jpg)
17 P Ryan Wright
![17 P Ryan Wright](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/sfodxiiqwlzi4zxfunpa.jpg)
17 P Ryan Wright
The team is scheduled to travel to Cleveland Tuesday to have joint practices with the Browns on Wednesday and Thursday before the squads meet Saturday in their second preseason game of 2024.
Here are three observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
1. Van Ginkel
Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel was one of the first players the Vikings signed when free agency opened. He's been working his way back from a foot injury suffered at the end of the 2023 season.
On Monday, he put one foot in front of the other after an interception.
Van Ginkel wasn't fooled on a fake handoff and dropped into coverage, stepping into the throwing lane through which Darnold was trying to connect with Justin Jefferson.
Van Ginkel showed nice hands in catching the pass and quickly transitioned for the return, his long, blond hair flowing in the wind.
The 2019 fifth-round pick was among the first players drafted by the Dolphins when Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores was Miami's head coach (2019-21) and showed what he can bring to a dynamic grouping.
The Van Ginkel pick led the highlights of strong plays by Minnesota's defense.
Camryn Bynum had a nice pass breakup while covering Jefferson during 1-on-1s, and cornerback Fabian Moreau also denied the All-Pro a receiver an opportunity in the red zone.
2. Darnold delivers on third-and-10
Darnold was effective in the red zone with a completion to C.J. Ham and touchdowns to Josh Oliver and Ty Chandler, who made a diving catch.
The pass to Oliver, the 6-foot-5 tight end, was perfectly located in the back corner of the end zone.
Perhaps the best ball of the night, however, was Darnold's pass to Brandon Powell for a gain of 30 on third-and-10 during a 2-minute drill.
The offense had started at its 35-yard line, trailing 21-20 with 1:05 remaining. After two incompletions, Darnold came through in the clutch with the beautiful throw that defeated coverage by Byron Murphy, Jr.
3. Dialing down the middle
Fresh off kicking the game-winning, 38-yard field goal in his first preseason game, Vikings rookie Will Reichard put all six of his kicks through the uprights.
Reichard aimed true on a kick from 40 yards to lift the offense in the first end-of-game situation, and he added a 51-yarder to end the second team's end-of-game situation.
The Vikings closed the session with Reichard aiming true from 33 and 41 yards with Ryan Wright holding and from 43 and 48 with Seth Vernon holding.