EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings spent much of Tuesday's practice in walk-through mode, simultaneously preparing starters for more of a scrimmage format Wednesday and younger players for Friday's preseason finale at the Titans.
When reps were rolling full speed, however, the team focused its time on critical aspects that can determine the outcomes of football games: a 2-minute drill for the developmental team and periods of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 in the red zone.
Jalen Nailor, Harrison Smith, C.J. Ham, Andrew Van Ginkel, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Blake Cashman, Henry Byrd, Christian Darrisaw, Jeshaun Jones and Tyler Batty did not participate.
Here are three observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
1. McCarthy with a dime in the red zone; Brosmer leads 2-minute drill
J.J. McCarthy's final rep in 7-on-7 ended with the ball in his hands. He was disappointed to have not uncorked a throw and resigned that holding the ball that long would not likely be ideal if the defense also had a pass rush involved.
He didn't hang his head. He clapped once and moved on to the next opportunity. It just so happened that his next pass play involved perfectly playing the ball with velocity and accuracy where only receiver Thayer Thomas could make a play on the ball. Thomas completed the play with a diving catch on second-and-goal from the 8.
An attempt to double dip by McCarthy with a throw to Lucky Jackson on the following snap, however, was covered by Jeff Okudah.
Sam Howell, Brett Rypien and Max Brosmer also attempted multiple passes in the red zone.
Kahlef Hailassie, who switched to safety from cornerback during camp and recorded two picks in the preseason opener, nearly high-pointed a pass Howell intended for Tai Felton.
Howell and Rypien connected on passes to rookie Dontae Fleming, and Myles Price also caught a pass from Rypien.
Brosmer got the call to lead Minnesota's only series in a 2-minute drill and capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown to Price. He took the offense from its 45-yard line with 1:25 on the clock to the defense's 5 with 20 seconds remaining. Brosmer completed seven passes, including a 20-yarder to Fleming to efficiently move into striking distance.
2. Pace & Ward show up in pass coverage
With Cashman not practicing, the Vikings had Ivan Pace, Jr., and Eric Wilson at the inside linebacker spots with the first team.
Pace showed up in pass coverage, breaking up a McCarthy pass nearly reached and secured by Josh Oliver. Pace also covered Jordan Mason, who was the intended target, on the next rep.
Jay Ward has handled plenty of extra work at safety during camp and has been involved in the action. He logged good snaps in pass coverage on multiple snaps in the 2-minute drill and red zone periods.
3. Kick returners log reps
The Vikings rotated kick returners through practice fielding bouncing kicks and footballs from the sky.
Felton, Price, Silas Bolden, Ty Chandler, Robert Lewis, Tre Stewart and Fleming each took reps.
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