EAGAN, Minn – Shaq Griffin escaped significant injury but will miss a little practice time.
The cornerback was returning an intercepted pass during the Vikings training camp practice Thursday afternoon and went to the turf. Teammates immediately checked on Griffin, who got up and walked off under his own power but did not return to practice.
"He's dealing with a left leg soft-tissue [injury]," Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell told media members Saturday. "We're kind of monitoring him and making sure, whether he's day-to-day, or it might be a week or so this early in camp.
"We'll get him back, get him with [Vice President of Player Health and Performance] Tyler [Williams] and the group, and hopefully we can get him back sooner rather than later. But I'll keep you guys posted on his timeline," O'Connell added.
Griffin's time away from practice will open up additional opportunities for younger corners. The Vikings continue to mourn the tragic of passing of Khyree Jackson, and earlier this week the team placed Mekhi Blackmon on Injured Reserve after he suffered a torn ACL during Wednesday's practice session.
"Especially some of those guys who have some experience, either one year in Flo's (Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores') system or just a couple years here in Minnesota," O'Connell said of players like Akayleb Evans and Andrew Booth, Jr. "I'm looking for those guys to continuously show some improvement and comfort, and use some of that experience those guys have gotten in some pretty big-time moments over the past couple of years. Just have confidence to show up every day with a plan to focus on some things to get better.
"And then when we get out on the practice field, let it loose, turn it loose, and there will always be some things we can improve on, some learning moments," he continued. "I talk to our guys offensively a lot about 'shooting your shot.' It's the same thing on defense. Go try to make a play. Whether you're covering Justin Jefferson, or it's a two-minute situation or a third down. That's why we try to add the competition to it."
