EAGAN, Minn. — Even with a little cooler temperature, the Vikings defense is getting hotter.
Wednesday's edition of Minnesota's 2025 Training Camp featured familiar sights and sounds. Defenders hooting and hollering, finger-wagging, acing down after down the tests that they are dealt.
Offensively, the Vikings are coming along. Minnesota's starting five up front is building its chemistry in team drills – left tackle Christian Darrisaw continues to ramp up his workload – and J.J. McCarthy is standing tall despite looking across the line at, well, maybe the most daunting unit he'll play against all season.
Even then, he seems to be fitting more passes into tighter windows by the day. And now, fewer than 72 hours away from a Vikings game day, McCarthy is on the brink of letting loose against a different group.
"I'm very excited to play against another defense," the quarterback smiled dang near brighter than the sun. "[Houston Head] Coach DeMeco [Ryans], he's going to have some great game plans for us. There's going to be players firing off. I respect the heck out of that defense, and it's going to be a lot of fun."
The environment Wednesday was a nice change of pace. A sold-out crowd lucked into a bit of wind, a bit of heat, a bit of humidity and a bit of cloud coverage. It was mildly sticky and, together, totally enjoyable.
Justin Jefferson still is nursing a very minor hamstring strain but is communicating with and bringing energy to coaches and players in drills. Defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, center Ryan Kelly, receiver Robert Lewis, safety Joshua Metellus and offensive lineman Matt Nelson did not participate, either.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson returned after sitting out a portion of Saturday's session and resting Monday night. Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen and safety Harrison Smith also returned after planned days off.
The team will practice once more Thursday before day-before-game activities on Friday ahead of Saturday's exhibition opener at U.S. Bank Stadium against Houston. Kickoff is 3 p.m. CT. This link is full of information on how to watch.
View photos of players during 2025 Training Camp practice on August 6 at the TCO Performance Center.
Here are three observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
1. Drafted trenchmen
Minnesota poured resources into rebooting both of its lines this past spring, drafting guard Donovan Jackson in the first round and defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins in the fifth, in addition to signing Kelly and Will Fries to the offensive side and Allen and Hargrave to the defensive side during free agency.
Jackson and Ingram-Dawkins, both 22 years old, stood out Wednesday, enjoying some non-rookie-like moments. The former caught eyeballs in an OL vs. DL pass-rush drill; the latter was busy in team periods.
Going against Allen, who by the way is 30 and a two-time Pro Bowl honoree, Jackson strongly set his feet, quickly threw his hands inside and extended to absorb Allen's rush.
The rookie's base was firm on consecutive reps; Jackson looked balanced and totally composed.
Ingram-Dawkins flashed in a couple different 11-on-11 settings. Notably, he got a good deal of work with the first unit, playing in place of Hargrave. He also pulled some double duty, handling second-team reps. On one snap, the University of Georgia product flew in for a tackle for loss on running back Zavier Scott.
2. Cash-man-ing in
Inside linebacker Blake Cashman's GPS was zeroed in on the ball during a competitive team period.
As McCarthy started to move the offense, Cashman breathed life into the defense. In a span of several plays, he met 223-pound ball carrier Jordan Mason with a loud pop near the left sideline, stuffed Aaron Jones, Sr., for a short gain on an inside rush, and then cashed in with a clutch interception of McCarthy.
The linebacker won the drive for the defense, even though the offense stayed on the field for another rep.
3. About third down
Brian Flores' defense was dynamite in "weighty" situations last season, holding offenses to a 37.1 percent conversion rate on fourth downs and 35.6 percent on third. That ranked 1st and 4th in the NFL.
If practice is any kind of indicator, those figures could persist in 2025.
At the end of Wednesday's session, the first-team, second-team and developmental groups traded chances to move the sticks on varying third-and-distances. Overall, it was a struggle for the offenses.
McCarthy completed his first attempt near the right sideline to Rondale Moore – but too far from the line to gain. On his second dropback, McCarthy was covered up in a hurry as Cashman flew in for a sack.
The second group suffered a similar fate, as Sam Howell took back-to-back sacks. On one, Ingram-Dawkins pressured from the interior while Gabe Murphy and Bo Richter collapsed the edges.
When the first team eventually came up for another try, Dallas Turner said, "Not so fast!" The 2024 first-rounder exploded out of his stance and powered right tackle Brian O'Neill into McCarthy's lap.
Toward the end of the drill, the offense found a groove, advancing the chains on three straight plays. Brett Rypien zipped a pair of passes to Tim Jones and Thayer Thomas for first downs; Thomas elevated to collect his target; and Max Brosmer precisely delivered a deep pass to Dontae Fleming on the final snap of practice.
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