EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings were back in pads and beat the rain, concluding Wednesday's session before the bottom fell out.
Minnesota was able to proceed through a 2-minute situational drill as scheduled and conduct the all-up before lightning in the area shortened post-practice greetings and salutations.
Minnesota star receiver Justin Jefferson, who landed at No. 18 in the NFL’s Top 100 earlier in the day, had a scheduled off day.
When the Vikings ran plays with three receivers, Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell and Jalen Nailor worked with the first team.
Sam Darnold worked the ball to Addison and Powell in 7-on-7 and later had a completion to Nailor in team drills.
J.J. McCarthy connected with receivers Thayer Thomas, Trishton Jackson and Lucky Jackson while working with the second grouping. Lucky Jackson caught an impressive touchdown and a deep pass in the 2-minute drill, and Thomas reeled in one of the best catches of camp so far along the sideline on a pass from Nick Mullens.
Tight end Robert Tonyan was carted off the field after going down during a drill. There wasn't an update from the team on his condition by the end of practice.
Participants also included cornerback Fabian Moreau, who signed with the Vikings earlier in the day. Moreau quickly logged some quality snaps during team periods.
Here are three observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
1. Finding the tight ends
Tight ends Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse recorded several catches on the day at different parts of practice.
Mundt's day included fielding an arrow from Sam Darnold on a seam route. Mundt caught the pass in stride, stayed upright through contact and continued to the end zone.
The versatile player who sprouted from a family of walnut farmers showed strong hands and concentration on other routes as well, including an out-breaking route with coverage from Joshua Metellus. He also ran through some heavy contact by Brian Asamoah and stayed upright, flinging the ball after the play.
Muse pulled in consecutive catches from Jaren Hall, as well as another pass from J.J. McCarthy.
2. On the O-line
The Vikings continued with the first grouping, from left to right, of Christian Darrisaw, Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram and Brian O'Neill.
But the team opted to flip both sides of center Dan Feeney with the second grouping.
Minnesota departed from its most common alignment so far by moving David Quessenberry from right tackle to left tackle and Walter Rouse from left to right, as well as sending Dalton Risner from right guard to left guard and moving Tyrese Robinson to right guard.
Full pads also meant that offensive linemen were in full-contact drills against edge defenders and defensive linemen.
View photos of players during 2024 Vikings Training Camp practice on July 31 at the TCO Performance Center.
Our Seasonal Editorial Assistant Rob Kleifield was keeping an eye on that part of practice as the groups went through 1-on-1, 2-on-2 and 2-on-3 drills between the defense and offense.
Kleifield noted good work between Jonathan Greenard and Darrisaw with the former getting a good push with a bull rush on the first rep and the latter featuring a block of an inside move.
Rookie Levi Drake Rodriguez executed swim moves against fellow rookie Spencer Rolland on consecutive reps, and veteran newcomer Jonah Williams found success against Ingram.
Bradbury stonewalled Harrison Phillips on back-to-back reps.
3. Diversifying the attack
Minnesota's offense ranked 28th in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on 47.1 percent of its possessions inside an opponent's 20-yard line, and 29th in goal-to-go scenarios with a success rate of 59.3 percent.
Those are two numbers the Vikings significantly want to boost this season, and Wednesday's session may have shown a glimpse of how an uptick could occur.
Newcomer Aaron Jones, Sr., pulled in a quick pass from Darnold when the play was designed to get the running back a release past edge rusher Bo Richter. Jones smoothly cruised into the end zone.
On the next play, Jones unleashed a devasting cutback.
Jones has consistently shown his dual-threat abilities having rushed for 45 touchdowns and caught another 18.
