Vikings Training Camp Diary: July 28

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 28 in an easy-to-read bullet form.

Injury updates

• WR Jeff Badet (undisclosed) did not practice for the third consecutive day
• DT Jalyn Holmes (leg) did not practice after leaving yesterday’s session with an injury
• DT Linval Joseph (upper body) was in pads today but again was a limited participant in practice

Notables

• According to Darren Wolfson of KSTP the Vikings reportedly have interest in free agent RB Theo Riddick who was released by the Detroit Lions on Saturday
• Sunday’s practice was the team’s first in pads
• DT Armon Watts was a forced to be reckoned with on 1-on-1 drills
• C Garrett Bradbury looked strong and held his own during his reps against the defensive linemen
• During 11-on-11 drills the Vikings tights ends stood out today – Tyler Conklin saw reps with the 1st-team offense and even lined up as a wideout – he hauled in every pass that came his way and has really impressed so far in camp
• TE Cole Hikutini hauled in multiple acrobatic catches, including the one below in the Highlights section
• Kicker Dan Bailey had a bounce-back performance, hitting 5-of-6 field goal attempts
• WR Chad Beebe didn’t have a great day but he looks to be securing his hold on the WR3 job
• After head coach Mike Zimmer called out his young wide receivers this morning, they seemed to step up in the afternoon practice
• WR’s Davion Davis and Bisi Johnson consistently won their 1-on-1 battles and were able to create separation – still, all the rookie receivers need to refine their fundamentals in order to make the final 53

Holder competition?

• Players that were given an opportunity to hold for field goals at the beginning of practice:
  • TE Kyle Rudolph
  • QB Kyle Sloter
  • WR Chad Beebe
  • QB Jake Browning
  • QB Sean Mannion

• Adam Thielen, who took a few snaps at holder yesterday, held once for Bailey during live kicks today – it was his only miss (wide right from 33 yards)

Punt return posse

• Players taking punt returns today:
  • RB Ameer Abdullah
  • WR Jordan Taylor
  • WR Davion Davis
  • RB De’Angelo Henderson
  • WR Chad Beebe
  • WR Adam Thielen
  • CB Craig James
  • WR Stefon Diggs
  • CB Holton Hill
  • WR Bisi Johnson
  • WR Dillon Mitchell

Highlights

• Adam Thielen ladies and gentlemen… I’m not at all afraid to say he could be getting better, even at age 28

• Not to be outdone, here’s the other member of the best WR duo in the NFL… Stefon Diggs

• RB Alexander Mattison was another standout today, as he hit his cutback lanes with conviction…

• Gotta give the offensive line credit for this one…

• As mentioned earlier, your Cole Hikutini highlight – titled “Oh, wow”

Reflection

• Although the offense is still well behind the defense in terms of talent and production, the unit seemed to take a big step forward today – will be interesting to see if that trend continues throughout the remainder of camp
• After a somewhat uneventful practice on Saturday, Sunday’s session was full of intensity and highlights – the fans who arrived an hour early and stuck it out in the light rain were treated to some gems
•  The Vikings are scheduled to practice from 2pm-4:45pm tomorrow (Day 4)