EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings toned down their physicality a bit but maintained a high level of intensity Thursday, their final practice session before hosting the Raiders at 3 p.m. (CT) Saturday.
Players wore helmets and shells instead of full pads for a practice that lasted about an hour-and-a-half.
Earlier Thursday, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said he plans to start Sam Darnold, then transition to rookie J.J. McCarthy. Second-year pro Jaren Hall is likely to be next up after McCarthy's NFL debut. O'Connell plans to not play veteran Nick Mullens because of his experience in the system.
O'Connell additionally said Justin Jefferson is unlikely to play. Veteran Harrison Smith also will not hit the field.
Aaron Jones, Sr., and Jonathan Greenard did not practice for a second consecutive day.
Shaq Griffin, Gabriel Murphy, Dalton Risner, Robert Tonyan and Jerry Tillery did not participate. Sammis Reyes wore a red no-contact jersey.
The Vikings will proceed through some of their standard day-before-game activities Friday before Saturday brings the first SKOL Chant of 2024 to U.S. Bank Stadium.
Here are three observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
1. Showing up in 7-on-7
Johnny Mundt showed strong hands at the catch point on a Darnold pass down the middle during a 7-on-7 period. The tight end ripped the contested ball away from safety Theo Jackson.
McCarthy was able to strike gold on a pair of deep passes. He positioned a deep throw to Lucky Jackson away from cornerback A.J. Green III and safety Lewis Cine.
McCarthy also connected on a deep pass to Jalen Nailor, properly leading the third-year pro who had gotten behind Jay Ward, who has been taking most of his reps this camp at cornerback instead of safety.
2. Cool, calm, collected on final drive
O'Connell created different end-of-game scenarios for the second and third teams.
McCarthy led the second team from the offense's 40 to the defense's 20 with quick and accurate passes. The offense took the ball with 1:05 remaining and the score tied at 13.
McCarthy worked short completions to Trent Sherfield, Sr., and N'Keal Harry for a new set of downs. He followed with a gain of 8 on a pass to Nailor and then drilled a throw to Sherfield for a gain of 20.
The offense spiked the ball with four seconds remaining, but a field goal was not attempted.
Hall and the third team received the ball at the defense's 40-yard line, down 27-21 with 1:10 remaining.
He completed a short pass to Thayer Thomas and another to DeWayne McBride, but it wasn't enough for a fresh set of downs.
An incompletion followed on third down. Jeshaun Jones got his hands on the fourth-down pass but was unable to bring in the catch. Jones had made an impressive leaping catch earlier in the session.
3. Double trouble
Green was able to record his second interception in as many days. After nabbing one in 1-on-1s Wednesday with one hand, he struck on a pass by Hall during a team period.
Bobby McCain also picked off a pass Thursday when McCarthy tested double coverage with a deep pass to Sherfield.
