EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings wrapped their week of practices Friday in helmets, shells and shorts as the team readies to open its preseason at 3:25 p.m. Sunday against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
Minnesota will be the final team to take the field this preseason (Las Vegas participated in the Hall of Fame Game last week).
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell has appreciated the opportunity to treat this week's schedule similar to a regular-season week with a Sunday game.
Along those lines, Friday's session was less intense than a normal training camp session.
Kirk Cousins did not participate. O'Connell announced before practice that the QB had tested positive for COVID-19 but is not severely ill.
In addition to Cousins, guard/center Chris Reed, receiver Thomas Hennigan and defensive lineman Jullian Taylor did not participate.
Receiver Blake Proehl and linebacker Ryan Connelly remain on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
Here are three observations from Friday's session presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
1. Working the red zone
It's quite common for a team to work in the red zone on Fridays before Sunday games.
Sean Mannion opened Minnesota's 7-on-7 red zone drills with the first team.
After incompletions to Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, Mannion closed with two touchdown throws to K.J. Wright.
Kellen Mond was unable to connect with Ihmir Smith-Marsette but then threw touchdowns to Ty Chandler and Bisi Johnson.
The first-team secondary during the drill included Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum at safety, Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler, Sr., at corner and Chandon Sullivan at nickel.
The second-team secondary included Lewis Cine and Josh Metellus at safety, Akayleb Evans and Kris Boyd at corner and Parry Nickerson at nickel.
2. Technicians
While the Vikings skills players were in the 7-on-7, outside linebackers coach/pass rush specialist Mike Smith was going through hand-fighting techniques with each of Minnesota's edge rushers.
Za'Darius Smith has credited the coach and Vikings assistant head coach Mike Pettine with helping take his game to another level.
Other Vikings players are learning some of Smith's techniques up close and personal to refine an undermentioned aspect of effective edge players.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of Jan. 14, 2023.

1 K Greg Joseph

1 K Greg Joseph

2 RB Alexander Mattison

2 RB Alexander Mattison

3 CB Cameron Dantzler

3 Cam Dantzler

4 RB Dalvin Cook

4 RB Dalvin Cook

5 WR Jalen Reagor


7 CB Patrick Peterson

7 CB Patrick Peterson

8 QB Kirk Cousins

8 QB Kirk Cousins

12 QB Nick Mullens

12 QB Nick Mullens

66 P Ryan Wright


17 WR K.J. Osborn

17 WR K.J. Osborn

18 WR Justin Jefferson

18 WR Justin Jefferson

19 WR Adam Thielen

19 WR Adam Thielen



22 S Harrison Smith

22 S Harrison Smith

24 S Camryn Bynum

24 S Camryn Bynum

25 S Theo Jackson

25 S Theo Jackson

26 RB Kene Nwangwu

26 RB Kene Nwangwu

27 CB Kalon Barnes

27 CB Kalon Barnes

29 CB Kris Boyd

29 CB Kris Boyd

30 FB C.J. Ham

30 FB C.J. Ham

32 RB Ty Chandler

32 RB Ty Chandler

33 LB Brian Asamoah

33 LB Brian Asamoah

39 CB Chandon Sullivan

39 CB Chandon Sullivan

42 LS Andrew DePaola

42 LS Andrew DePaola

43 LB Luiji Vilain

43 OLB Luiji Vilain

44 S Josh Metellus

44 S Josh Metellus

45 LB Troy Dye

45 LB Troy Dye

47 LB William Kwenkeu

47 LB William Kwenkeu

54 LB Eric Kendricks


55 LB Za'Darius Smith

55 OLB Za'Darius Smith

56 C Garrett Bradbury

56 C Garett Bradbury

58 LB Jordan Hicks

58 LB Jordan Hicks

62 G/C Chris Reed

62 G/C Chris Reed

63 T Vederian Lowe

63 T Vederian Lowe

64 T Blake Brandel

64 T Blake Brandel

67 G Ed Ingram


71 T Christian Darrisaw

71 T Christian Darrisaw

72 G Ezra Cleveland

72 G Ezra Cleveland

74 G Olisaemeka Udoh

74 G Olisaemeka Udoh

83 WR Jalen Nailor

83 WR Jalen Nailor

84 TE Irv Smith Jr.

84 TE Irv Smith Jr.

86 TE Johnny Mundt

86 TE Johnny Mundt



90 DL Esezi Otomewo


91 OLB Patrick Jones II

91 DE Patrick Jones II

92 DT James Lynch

92 DT James Lynch

93 DL Jonathan Bullard

93 DL Jonathan Bullard

94 DT Dalvin Tomlinson

94 DT Dalvin Tomlinson

95 DL Khyiris Tonga

95 DL Khyiris Tonga

96 DT Ross Blacklock

96 DT Ross Blacklock

97 DL Harrison Phillips

97 DL Harrison Phillips

98 DE D.J. Wonnum

98 DE D.J. Wonnum

99 OLB Danielle Hunter

99 DE Danielle Hunter
3. Hype man
Second-year linebacker Chazz Surratt generated the largest reaction of the day from Eric Kendricks.
Surratt stayed stride for stride with Dalvin Cook on a deep pass and had perfect timing when he reached his hand and knocked the ball away.
Kendricks, who has recorded 45 passes defended in his career (including 12 in 2019), ran over from the opposite sideline to congratulate Surratt on the play.