Welcome to the Minnesota Vikings Training Camp Diary! Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Vikings’ training camp practice on July 27 in an easy-to-read bullet form.
Injury updates
- WR Jeff Badet (undisclosed) did not practice for the second consecutive day
- CB Mike Hughes looked to be near top speed as he ran sprints on Field 3. He was also seen backpedaling, making turns and catching over-the-shoulder passes while defending a trainer in light coverage drills
- DT Linval Joseph is still recovering from an offseason operation (or operations) and once again was limited
- DT Jalyn Holmes limped to the sideline and eventually walked off the field with a trainer after suffering an apparent leg injury during 11-on-11 drills – no word yet on his status
Notables
- With Holmes out, Hercules Mata’afa filled in with the 1’s while Curtis Cothran worked with the 2’s
- The Vikings are looking to bring in cornerback David Amerson for a workout, per Darren Wolfson of KSTP
- CB Holton Hill was kept out of most team drills for the second straight day
- WR Dillon Mitchell had a couple drops during 1-on-1 drills and WR Jordan Taylor struggled to gain separation from his defender
- TE’s Irv Smith Jr. and Tyler Conklin each had reps with the first-team offense
- RB’s Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah also received first-team reps
- The competition for punt returner includes about 10-15 players and at this point appears to be wide open
- After this morning’s walkthrough, special team coordinator Marwan Maalouf hinted part of the kicking struggles could be related to the holder, Matt Wile – “We’ve got to clean up the operation,” said Maalouf.
- As a result, a couple new holders were seen taking snaps from head coach Mike Zimmer at the beginning of practice: Adam Thielen and Chad Beebe
Interesting nugget at the start of practice at #VikingsCamp:
Adam Thielen working on holding for field goals with Dan Bailey…with Mike Zimmer helping out. pic.twitter.com/tCCvxDmQeK
— Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) July 27, 2019
Highlights
- A glimpse into arm strength of rookie QB Jake Browning as he hits Laquon Treadwell on a comeback route
Jake Browning to Laquon Treadwell. #Vikings @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/rwKGgBC3Si
— Jeff Wald (@JeffWaldFox9) July 27, 2019
- Chad Beebe continued his strong camp (I know, it’s been 2 days). He made an impressive one-handed grab in front of the paying-spectator section – Beebe seems to be taking hold of the WR3 role
- Kirk Cousins found Adam Thielen on a deep arching pass right down the middle of the field – the likely TD was good for a gain of about 65 yards
- No live field goals were made (or attempted) by kicker Dan Bailey
Kirk Cousins working with TE Irv Smith Jr. after practice. The two had a lengthy discussion which appeared to involve route-running based on Cousins’ arm motions. pic.twitter.com/plwHaaxmia
— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) July 27, 2019
Reflection
- Saturday’s crowd was huge – the fans in attendance were rowdy and they honestly didn’t get to see a whole lot of action
- Perhaps the most interesting development was seen above – as Kirk Cousins worked with rookie TE Irv Smith Jr. after practice. The two were seen (and heard) discussing routes and later worked on their timing