EAGAN, Minn. — Back Together Weekend: Saturday Edition at Vikings Training Camp proved to be action-filled at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
A sell-out crowd caught its first glimpses of this year's squad and added to the festive atmosphere.
The practice occurred the day before an off day for players. It was the last session before pads go on Monday.
Cornerback Shaq Griffin and safety Lewis Cine did not practice. Receiver Malik Knowles left the session early.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said earlier Saturday that Griffin is dealing with a soft tissue injury in his left leg.
The Vikings primarily worked with Byron Murphy, Jr., and Akayleb Evans at the outside corner spots with Griffin sidelined.
Vikings Legends Carl Eller, Scott Studwell and Joe Webb signed autographs for fans before practice.
Here are three observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
1. Safeties secure picks
The Vikings spent a good bit of time in the red zone with 7-on-7 drills.
Harrison Smith dropped down the middle of the field and snagged a pass from Sam Darnold that was intended for Johnny Mundt.
Smith nabbed the ball like he has 34 times during his NFL career and began returning it. He lateraled the ball to Andrew Booth, Jr., at the end of the play.
Darnold bounced back a play later with a beautiful touchdown to Jalen Nailor in the back left corner of the end zone.
Theo Jackson joined his fellow native Tennessean and Vikings safety in getting in the interceptions column. He quickly drove on a pass that was thrown late over the middle the field by J.J. McCarthy.
It was an impressive pick by the player who recorded Minnesota's first interception of the 2023 season last year at Philadelphia.
The play was a little after McCarthy had done well in the red zone 7-on-7 period when he had gone 4-of-5 passing with completions to Nailor, WR Lucky Jackson, RB Kene Nwangwu and TE Trey Knox.
Darnold connected again with Jordan Addison on another deep pass that was perfectly placed and enabled Addison to stride through the ball for a completion against Booth.
View photos of players during 2024 Vikings Training Camp practice on July 27 at the TCO Performance Center.
2. Nailor's big day
The corner ball to Nailor from Darnold was part of a big day for the third-year receiver.
Nailor also made an impressive catch on a Nick Mullens pass that was a little behind him, to go along with receptions from Darnold and McCarthy.
Those were encouraging plays for the 2022 sixth-round pick who flashed during limited opportunities as a rookie (nine receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets) but was hindered by injuries in 2023 and had just three receptions for 29 yards on six targets.
3. Kicking competition on display
The Vikings entered training camp with competitions at kicker between sixth-round pick Will Reichard and offseason addition John Parker Romo and at punter between returnee Ryan Wright and addition Seth Vernon.
Minnesota included a field goal kicking period to end Saturday's practice.
Reichard went first with Wright serving as the holder. He was good on all five kicks he attempted, aiming true from the 33-yard distance of an extra point before also splitting the uprights from 40, 43, 45 and 48 yards.
Romo went 3-for-4 on his kicks with Vernon holding, making one from the extra point distance, from 40 and from 48. He missed wide left from 43.
