EAGAN, Minn. — Rookie offensive linemen Michael Jurgens and Walter Rouse were initiated into Vikings Training Camp fandom before Saturday afternoon's sweltering practice that was rescued by 15 mph gusts of wind.
The players, both drafted on Day 3 this past spring, brought Vikings fans to their feet early in the session, jogging close to the bleachers overlooking the set of fields at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
There, Jurgens and Rouse, led a SKOL Chant that might have registered on the Richter scale. It was an on-brand way to introduce the rookies and add excitement to Back Together Weekend: Saturday Edition.
View photos of players during 2024 Vikings Training Camp practice on July 27 at the TCO Performance Center.
The day included the first Vikings Helmet Hike of 2024, which offers young people the chance to carry a helmet for a player, the first roar of the crowd as Justin Jefferson jetted by applauding fans, and first standing ovation for one-time rival Aaron Jones, now in purple.
Vikings fans had every reason to stay on their feet – competition and gracious interactions ran rampant.
Earlier Saturday, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell commented on the importance of getting "some of the young folks out here, and up close and personal to some of their favorite NFL players." The addition of fans led to a buzzier atmosphere.
Never a dull moment.
Pro Bowl long snapper Andrew DePaola was one of the first players through the locker room doors and met a little girl on the blacktop wearing a purple Jefferson jersey. She carried DePaola's helmet to the field as he poked fun at her choice of attire, asking if the team store had run out of his No. 42.
Owen Porter, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Trent Sherfield, Sr., Thayer Thomas, Sam Darnold, Jones and Jefferson, in that order, were the other participants in the tradition's maiden walk this season. Jones pulled double-duty, walking with twin boys whose father is serving overseas in the military.
The charismatic running back, who is a twin and was raised by parents in the U.S. Army, had a neat souvenir for them, too, gifting the twins a pair of Oakley kids sunglasses.
Quarterbacks traded highlights between the white lines and the defense was busy.
Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy caught fire in the red zone, completing four of five passes in 7-on-7 drills, including a beauty to Jalen Nailor, who is competing for that oft-talked about third wide receiver position.
Veteran Sam Darnold spun a perfectly-timed deep pass in an 11-on-11 team period to Jordan Addison, who made an over-the-shoulder catch along the left sideline, in the late stages of the practice. It helped make up for an earlier throw, in one of the first red-zone reps, that was picked off by Harrison Smith at the goal line.
The Vikings pass rush scored a handful of would-be sacks (spoiled plays aren't whistled dead in camp; quarterbacks are encouraged to go through their reads and locate someone to pass the football to), and defensive backs were sticky in coverage – so sticky that Dwight McGlothern drew a holding flag on a play while covering Jefferson.
After the last horn, Vikings players met with friends and family on the grass, and young fans rushed to the bottom of the bleachers for a chance to catch autographed mini footballs thrown by Vikings tight ends.
No doubt, happy to be back together, again.
