EAGAN, Minn. — Back from an off day and back in full pads, the Vikings defense flew around the field multiple times throughout Friday's practice.
Pass rushers and interior linemen made headway, linebackers were quick to identify screens and respond to checkdowns and the secondary recorded a few pass breakups, including a couple nearly picked off by safety Theo Jackson in the red zone.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell announced before the session that Dalton Risner and Jonathan Bullard were veterans who were a bit nicked up and not going to participate. Safety Harrison Smith also did not fully participate.
Here are three observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
1. Situationally speaking
The Vikings capped practice with a situational drill with a minute remaining and the offense trailing 27-21.
Veteran Sam Darnold led with the first-team offense on a touchdown drive. The biggest chunk was gained on a deep pass to Justin Jefferson that Darnold threaded behind Akayleb Evans on second-and-10.
After the ball was initially placed at the 17, it was kicked and O'Connell marked off a 5-yard penalty. From the 12, Darnold hit Aaron Jones for a gain of 5 before finding Jordan Addison on a touchdown with time to spare.
Rookie J.J. McCarthy and the second-team offense worked together for some gains, connecting with Trent Sherfield, Sr., for a gain of 7 and picking up a third-and-3 with a pass to Kene Nwangwu for 5 more to the 33-yard line.
McCarthy followed with a 7-yard pass to Trishton Jackson along the sideline, but undrafted rookie Gabriel Murphy surged by Walter Rouse (at right tackle) on second-and-3, recording what would have been a sack.
The play forced McCarthy to have to clock the ball on third-and-11. His pass attempt on fourth down was tipped by Murphy and fell incomplete.
2. Combos shift
The practice also included some reps with the first-team offense for McCarthy in the red zone period. His first snap with the group wound up being a reverse run play to Addison. It looked like Ivan Pace, Jr., had an angle to limit the damage on the play.
Earlier in the practice period and while working with the second grouping, McCarthy extended a pass play and found N'Keal Harry, who is transitioning from receiver to tight end, for a touchdown.
The first-team offensive line maintained its grouping of LT Christian Darrisaw, LG Blake Brandel, C Garrett Bradbury, RG Ed Ingram and RT Brian O'Neill.
Without Risner, the second group consisted of LT David Quessenberry, LG Michael Jurgens, C Dan Feeney, RG Tyrese Robinson and Rouse.
3. On the interior
Pat Jones II has been stacking some days at outside linebacker and kicking inside on passing downs to add another rushing element to the interior of the defensive line.
The fourth-year player showed up during three plays in 1-on-1 drills. He used speed around left tackle first, which helped set up a spin move to the interior on his next rep. Jones then lined up over the ball and was able to execute a two-hand swipe to gain an advantage.
Newcomer Jonah Williams, who joined the Vikings after playing for the Rams, provided a nice run stuff during a team drill.
Seventh-round pick Levi Drake Rodriguez participated in some snaps with the first-team defense.
