EAGAN, Minn. — Wednesday was a good day to be a Vikings defensive back.

Just ask Theo Jackson, or Byron Murphy, Jr., or Dwight "Nudie" McGlothern, or Jay Ward. Each recorded an interception during the course of the second padded practice of 2025 Vikings Training Camp.

Uno, dos, tres, cuatro.

Jackson's diving swipe down the middle of the field finished the practice. The pick of Sam Howell ended a 2-minute drill period between the second-team offense and second-team defense on the second play of the series.

Murphy, who also had a nice pass breakup while covering Jordan Addison and another on a blitz of J.J. McCarthy, finalized a team red zone period by easily collecting a pass by Brett Rypien.

McGlothern recorded his third consecutive practice with a pick to make it a streak. He nabbed a pass by Max Brosmer and returned the ball the distance before taking a victory lap in front of offensive players who were not in on the play.

Ward picked off a deep throw to the end zone by J.J. McCarthy that was intended for Jordan Addison on a third-down play in a team period. His INT occurred a few snaps after he registered another pass defensed while covering Addison.

Oh yeah, Harrison Smith also got in on the takeaways, forcing a fumble by receiver Jeshaun Jones at the end of a pass play.

Smith and veterans C.J. Ham, Joshua Metellus, Christian Darrisaw, Ryan Kelly, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave were all back in action after not participating Tuesday.

Justin Jefferson remains sidelined while dealing with a "very minor hamstring strain." Receiver Robert Lewis also did not participate.

Players will have Thursday off before returning to action in full pads on Friday and Saturday.

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

1. Sacks aplenty

The best defenses are the ones that understand the importance of having pass rush and pass coverage positively impact each other.

It's early, but it appears the 2025 Vikings are there.

In addition to the successes and celebrations enjoyed on the back end of the defense, the front 7 also had itself a day.

The group rushed well together at multiple times, pushing the pocket up the middle, or sending an outside linebacker screaming around the edge.

Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner all flashed impressive displays. Greenard and Turner were so in rhythm that they looked like synchronized swimmers as they executed Greenard's sack celebration at the end of a third-and-long.

2. Darrisaw's comeback continues

The "Big Dog" moved closer to being fully back. Darrisaw, who has been rehabbing a knee injury suffered in Week 8, lined up for his first padded reps of 2025 during a team period.

Minnesota didn't overload the left tackle, instead rotating him with Justin Skule, but a few plays in that setting is another milestone for Darrisaw's return.

3. 2-minute drill fares better

The Vikings first-team offense bounced back against the first-team defense during a 2-minute drill at the end of practice.

The offense started the drive at its 35-yard line with 1:10 remaining on the clock and trailing 21-20.

McCarthy opened the drive with quick and decisive passes to Jalen Nailor for gains of 9 and 7 yards to move the ball to the defense's 49-yard line.

He was flushed from the pocket on the next play and tried to fit a pass over the middle to Aaron Jones, Sr., but the ball was too high.

With the clock stopped and a timeout at his disposal, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell opted for a run play on second-and-10. Newcomer Jordan Mason got the edge with a nifty move and picked up a gain of 28 to move the ball to the 21-yard line. The Vikings had kicked in Tuesday's practice, so they did not attempt a field goal to end the possession.

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