Vikings Training Camp Diary: July 29

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 29 in an easy-to-read bullet form.

Injury updates

• WR Jeff Badet (undisclosed) did not practice for the fourth consecutive day – still no word on his status
• DT Jalyn Holmes (leg) was back at practice after sitting out yesterday’s session
• DT Curtis Cothran (undisclosed) was not in pads for the team’s afternoon practice
• WR Brandon Zylstra (hamstring) was activated off the PUP list and returned to practice today
• DT Linval Joseph (upper body) remained limited

Notables

• WR Laquon Treadwell took some snaps with the 1st-team offense for the first time all camp
• DT Jaleel Johnson shined in 1-on-1 drills and made his presence felt during the 11-on-11 sessions
• CB Duke Thomas, a former AAF signee, made a couple nice pass breakups with the 2nd-team defense today
• DT Hercules Mata’afa continues to work with the first-team defense alongside Jaleel Johnson
• G Danny Isidora has impressed the last couple of days in team drills – he’s used his powerful base to help create running lanes for running back Alexander Mattison

Kick Return Candidates

Special teams coordinator Marwan Maalouf had the following players return kicks at the beginning of practice:

• RB Ameer Abdullah
• FB CJ Ham
• RB De’Angelo Henderson
• RB Mike Boone
• WR Bisi Johnson
• WR Alexander Hollins
• CB Holton Hill

The competition appears to be wide open at this point. In fact, the only specialist positions NOT in question appear to be kicker and punter.

Highlights

• QB Sean Mannion appears to be gaining rapport with his receivers after missing some throws during the first couple days of camp – Mannion threw an accurate ball to WR Chad Beebe on the sidelines despite a stiff breeze and hit WR Jordan Taylor in-stride on a long strike

• RT Brian O’Neill received praise from offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski earlier in the day for showing up to camp in great shape – he proceeded to put together some impressive pass-blocking reps against one of the best pass rushers in the business, DE Danielle Hunter

Reflection

• After the offense stepped up in a big way during yesterday’s practice, the defense rebounded on Monday and showed the offense which unit is boss
• The players have the day off tomorrow (Tuesday) but will be back in action on Wednesday
• I’ll leave you with this tweet from Ryan Donaldson, KFAN’s program director that had me rolling…

• Follow me on twitter @SeanBoarManNFL for Vikings information, including live updates from Training Camp in Eagan