Loose Ends: Vikings Training Camp Updates
The Minnesota Vikings first preseason game is only eight days away!
Vikings at Buffalo Bills. Thursday, August 10th @ 6pm CT
The Vikings have had six days of full team practices in Mankato. The good news is the team has avoided major injury, plus two playmakers on defense have been locked up long-term. The bad news is there have been minor, but potentially nagging injuries to report.
Let’s recap the team news that has come out of training camp since our last Loose Ends take.
ROSTER MOVES
- Contract extension for top cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes signed a five-year, $70 million deal through the 2022 season. The 27 year-old earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2016 when, according to PFF, Rhodes led the NFL in opposing quarterback passer rating. Current teammate Terence Newman believes Rhodes is one of the top two cornerbacks in the NFL. The former Florida State Seminole was selected with the 25th pick in the first round of the 2013 draft.
- Contract extension for defensive end Everson Griffen. The 29 year-old Griffen and the Vikings agreed to a four-year, $58 million deal. General manager Rick Spielman said the team is looking to lock up as many young core players as it can. Sources told Pioneer Press writer Chris Tomasson that the Vikings are also working on extensions with defensive tackle Linval Joseph, middle linebacker Eric Kendricks and outside linebacker Anthony Barr.
- Signed linebacker Darnell Sankey and waived linebacker Shaan Washington, who was later placed on the Reserve/Injured List.
- Signed linebacker Noor Davis and waived quarterback Wes Lunt.
- Signed cornerback Sam Brown and waived offensive tackle Arturo Uzdavinis.
HOT COOK-ING
- Dalvin Cook has been receiving nearly all the first-team reps in training camp since last Thursday. With Jerick McKinnon nursing a leg injury and Latavius Murray still out from offseason ankle surgery, Florida State’s all-time leading rusher has been receiving extra snaps in training camp. The rookie has impressed Vikings coaches with his agility and explosiveness.
Will Dalvin Cook's big play ability give him the edge to start for the Vikings? pic.twitter.com/Nljhk9kF29
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) July 31, 2017
INJURIES
- Riley Reiff: The new left tackle missed his sixth day of practice Wednesday. Although head coach Mike Zimmer said the injury is minor, this is not the start the Vikings envisioned when they signed the durable lineman in free agency this offseason.
UPDATE – Zimmer described Reiff’s injury as a “back twinge.”
- Laquon Treadwell: Treadwell has an undisclosed injury (rumblings are a hamstring injury) and missed Wednesday’s practice after Monday’s fight with Antone Exum.
- Jerick McKinnon: The running back injured his leg during Thursday’s practice. As a result he missed Friday and Saturday’s practice before returning Sunday. He will split reps with rookie Dalvin Cook until Murray is able to return to the field.
- Latavius Murray: Zimmer stated yesterday that he does not know when Murray will return to the field. He is still awaiting doctor approval to play. He’s been frustrated that he’s only been able to watch the team practice in training camp.
- Kentrell Brothers: Brothers appeared to injure his left hamstring in Friday’s practice. The linebacker left the field on a cart. As of Wednesday, he remained out of practice with no word on a return.
- Tre Roberson: The cornerback was held out of practice Wednesday. No details on Roberson’s injury yet.
- Sharrif Floyd: It’s possible the defensive tackle could return sometime during training camp or the preseason. Having Floyd back and in game shape would be a huge boost to the Vikings defensive front. The former first-rounder has been performing individual drills in Mankato with the hope of regaining nerve function in his leg.
NOTES
- Mackensie Alexander has been receiving extra attention from coach Zimmer. The second-year corner is looking to replace one of the best in the business, former Viking Captain Munnerlyn.
- Marcus Sherels is the man to beat at kick returner. Rookies Stacy Coley and Rodney Adams are in the mix as well.
- Michael Floyd has been a standout during training camp. Despite the four-game suspension to begin the season, Floyd has flashed the ability that made him a first-round pick for Arizona back in 2012. There’s no question he will make an impact for the Vikings in 2017.
- Cayleb Jones: Jones might be the best Vikings receiver you haven’t heard of. The wideout stands at 6-foot-2, 209 pounds. The 24 year-old, who spent the end of last season on the Vikings practice squad, has been impressive in camp thus far. Jones may see more snaps with Treadwell’s injury, but he still has to make quite an impression on coaches to make the 53-man roster or practice squad.
- Watch this throw by Sam Bradford to Jarius Wright.
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