EAGAN, Minn. — Can you believe we are fewer than 48 hours away from a Vikings game day?

It feels too good to be true that, in just a short time, J.J. McCarthy's first game action in 364 days and the start of another (this writer's second) season in Minnesota will start at 3 p.m. (CT) Saturday against the Houston Texans.

Although there can be a stark difference in practicing against your brothers and playing through the whistle against your opponents, the competition at 2025 Vikings Training Camp so far has been fantastic.

Jonathan Greenard and Dallas Turner arrowing off the edge for a sack is dang near a daily occurrence. So is the sight of Jordan Mason lowering his shoulder pads and barreling through contact. Receivers are gaining steam with McCarthy and the quarterbacks. The secondary has been steadily feisty, and there's good-natured rivalries forming in the trenches.

Compared to the past few practices, Thursday was hot. But a sliver of shade more than did the trick. Plus, like we said, we're not even two days out from the real (preseason) deal. We can't fret over the weather.

Justin Jefferson remains sidelined with a very minor hamstring strain but maintained his positive presence on the field, interacting with players and coaches during drills and before and after snaps.

Other non-participants included receivers Rondale Moore and Robert Lewis, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, safety Joshua Metellus, offensive linemen Justin Skule, Henry Byrd and Ryan Kelly and defensive lineman Javon Hargrave. Receiver Jalen Nailor wore a red non-contact jersey over his purple one.

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

1. Tight windows

While ample pressure by Minnesota's defense has been a theme through training camp practices, it's often been backed up by coverage that is where it needs to be, when it needs to be there.

That held true Thursday as Vikings defenders quickly clamped down on a handful of accurate passes.

Linebacker Blake Cashman, who intercepted McCarthy on Wednesday, nullified an early target for tight end Josh Oliver during a 7-on-7 period. Oliver's tight end buddy T.J. Hockenson settled the score, though.

Cashman was in coverage, again, when McCarthy roped a throw to Hockenson up the right seam. The two-time Pro Bowler's hair flipped in the air as he elevated above the rim to make a sweet catch.

In a red zone period, McCarthy put some oomph behind a short, inside throw to Jordan Addison. The receiver reeled it in despite sticky defense by cornerback Jeff Okudah.

Shortly after, Harrison Smith made a play that caused onlooking media members to do a double take.

Reacting from his safety alignment in the heart of the end zone, the 36-year-old Smith brisked into a late-developing window and laid out like a 20-something-year-old to bat away a ball intended for Nailor.

2. Managing workloads

The Vikings downshifted gears toward the end of practice (before ramping up) and opted to work on some finer points in split-up groups instead of another usually scheduled "compete" period as a team.

It looked like this: Head Coach Kevin O'Connell briefly plopped down on a water cooler and reviewed his call sheets. Defensive players walked through fronts and coverages. Offensive skill players performed routes at a jog-through pace. And the offensive line drilled combo-to-second-level blocks with shields.

With an assortment of veterans sitting out practice, it was an efficient way to take care of players' legs and maximize their techniques without amplifying their tiredness in anticipation of Saturday's exhibition.

3. 2-minute recap

Urgent execution was the emphasis in the final period of Thursday's practice.

In a rotating 2-minute drill, three quarterbacks had the chance to usher the offense into scoring position. Sam Howell started the session with the second group, which fared the best out of the three, against the second defense. After benefiting from a defensive holding penalty on linebacker Eric Wilson on the first snap of the sequence, Howell connected with Jeshaun Jones, Ben Yurosek and Jones, again.

Howell's precise passing landed the offense at the defense's 20-yard line with four ticks remaining.

McCarthy and the first team went next but fizzled. The QB synced up with Hockenson for a small gain, initially, then had a misfire/throwaway, and likely would have been sacked on third down by Cashman, who zoomed in through a crease.

Max Brosmer handled snaps for the developmental team and got things rolling with a screen to running back Zavier Scott, who scooted for a nice chunk. The series stalled, however, after corner Reddy Stewart blitzed in off the edge for a sack and Brosmer sailed one high over Silas Bolden's head over the middle.

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