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3 Observations: Will Reichard Rolls; Vikings Defense Wins 2-Point Plays & Creates Pressures

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings donned full pads on Tuesday for a training camp practice that was more like sessions from earlier this month than Monday's lighter day.

Tight end Robert Tonyan, who has been sidelined with back spasms, participated in position drills. Receiver Thayer Thomas, who suffered a concussion last week in Wednesday's practice at Cleveland, returned to team action.

The day's work included plenty of team periods, including yet another strong kicking demonstration by Will Reichard.

The rookie was true from 50-plus yards to cap the first-team offense's drive with less than a minute remaining. The offense started at the 50. After a 5-yard penalty, Sam Darnold was able to move the chains with a completion to Justin Jefferson.

View photos of players during 2024 Vikings Training Camp practice on August 20 at the TCO Performance Center.

Nick Mullens completed consecutive passes to Trent Sherfield, Sr., moving well within Reichard's range, and he drilled a 39-yarder.

Reichard then went 6-for-6 in the kicking period to make it 8-for-8 in team drills. Reichard made from 33 yards (extra point distance), 41, 45 and 48 before drilling two more from 50-plus. Two of Reichard's kicks hit the metal pole that supports aerial cameras directly behind the middle of the uprights.

Here are three observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:

1. Tracking 2-point plays

A 2-point conversion sometimes becomes a deciding factor in a game or practice. In preparation of such a pivotal play, the Vikings and Browns went through an end-of-game situation last Thursday in which the offense for each team trailed by eight points.

Minnesota's second-team offense was able to score a touchdown, but the group's pass on a 2-point conversion was denied. The defense didn't allow a touchdown on the other three possessions.

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell added more work for his team on 2-point conversions Tuesday.

The first-team offense had two plays against the first-team defense, the second teams competed for two plays and the developmental teams faced off for one snap.

The first-team defense forced an incompletion on the first rep by taking away options for Darnold.

The quarterback, however, threaded a pass beautifully to Johnny Mundt just past Harrison Smith on his next snap.

Fabian Moreau took away a fade route that Mullens tried to hit with a pass to Lucky Jackson and then was in coverage on the next play for the group when Mullens was unable to connect with Trishton Jackson.

The developmental defense also forced an incompletion by Jaren Hall.

2. Cranking up the pressure

Multiple Vikings defensive players appeared to be in line to collect sacks during the practice.

Jalen Redmond won in creating interior pressure that would have gotten home to Mullens before a completion to Trishton Jackson.

Andrew Van Ginkel dialed one up from the edge and would have gotten to Darnold before a completion to Jalen Nailor.

Jihad Ward also recorded a sack, and Kamu Grugier-Hill created pressure on a Darnold pass that was picked off by Smith.

Grugier-Hill has stepped in alongside Ivan Pace, Jr., after last week's hand injury to Blake Cashman.

3. Rapid fire

The Vikings also worked a good bit on stacks and bunches for receiving options against defensive players.

Byron Murphy, Jr., opened the drill with great coverage against Jefferson. Darnold followed with completions to Aaron Jones, Sr., and Josh Oliver.

Rookie Dwight McGlothern, who returned an interception 91 yards at Cleveland Saturday, swiped another pick Tuesday. He stepped in front of a Mullens pass intended for Malik Knowles.

Mullens bounced back with completions to Myles Gaskin, Brandon Powell and Nailor in the rapid-fire drill.

After completions by Darnold to Jefferson and Trishton Jackson, Bobby McCain picked off a pass by Hall intended for Knowles.

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