EAGAN, Minn. — Verizon Vikings Training Camp is off and running.
The team held its first practice of the summer Tuesday afternoon at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, as 37 rookies, quarterbacks and select veterans went for roughly 90 minutes on a sunny afternoon.
Minnesota's veterans report Thursday, with the first full-team practice (and first open to fans) set for Friday afternoon at 2 p.m.
Here are three observations from Tuesday's session:
1. Mixing it up
All four of the Vikings quarterbacks on the roster are currently already in camp, including starter Kirk Cousins.
The quartet split snaps Tuesday, as Cousins worked in a few plays with rookie center Garrett Bradbury in team and individual drills.
Sean Mannion had the first crack in team drills, while Kyle Sloter and Jake Browning rotated in during a 7-on-7 situation.
Earlier Tuesday, Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said he is looking forward to observing the competition behind Cousins.
"We've been impressed with [Sean] Mannion and [Kyle] Sloter and [Jake] Browning, that will be a fun competition to watch when we get going," Spielman said.
2. Making a splash
A pair of rookies made head-turning plays in their first NFL training camp practice.
Tight end Irv Smith, Jr., made a one-handed snag in an individual drill, although the former Alabama standout wasn't guarded by a defender.
Wide receiver Dillon Mitchell later made a diving catch on a pass from Browning, maneuvering between multiple defenders for the snag.
3. Point of emphasis
Other than Bradbury, there isn't a rookie who is projected to be an immediate starter on the roster.
The Vikings spent a sizable portion of Tuesday's session on special teams, where some young players could carve out a role for themselves going forward.
Mitchell and fellow rookies Bisi Johnson and Davion Davis each took turns on punt returns, while most players rotated around during punt coverage drills.
