MINNEAPOLIS — Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins started waxing on Caleb Banks' development — and physicality and versatility — when the 6-foot-6, 327-pounder crept up and snuck in a comment:

"You know ball."

The rookie Banks said it playfully with a grin on his face, feeling good about his second exhibition, a 13-3 loss to Baltimore in which he and fellow rookie DL Domonique Orange had some big moments.

Banks and Orange started Saturday's game and played the first six series, including one in the second half. They helped the second-wave defense play well, forcing five Ravens three-and-outs.

It was both players' first time, in any capacity believe it or not, at U.S. Bank Stadium.

"It was crazy," Orange said with gratefulness in his voice as he recalled his gaze hitting the turf and the 66,000-plus-seat stadium. "It was a good experience, I think, from top to bottom, a life-long dream."

Banks flashed early, shocking and shedding a block by tight end Matt Hibner when Baltimore began its second series backed up at the 1-yard line. The former Florida Gator chomped Jonathan Ward as soon as the Ravens back stepped out of the end zone, and Banks wrestled him through the whistle.

"It was pretty cool," the No. 18 overall draft pick Banks said of his statement wrap-up. "I was just trying to make a play. Trying to do something cool, man, so I wouldn't get yelled at on the sideline."

On still adjusting to the NFL, Banks said, "I'm just taking it one play at a time, just enjoying it, just kind of just living the dream that the younger me is really excited and kind of just dancing around on the inside about, so just taking it one game at a time, one play at a time, and enjoying it."

Banks noted that his preparation throughout the week, primarily two solid days of joint practices, helped set him up for a positive performance. He also admitted he's not in shape, yet, and quipped and looked over at Orange when he said, "I definitely need to go out there and run — me and Dom."

Orange stabbed him back with a brotherly eye dagger.

Minutes before Banks addressed media, Orange did so in front of their side-by-side lockers and spoke highly of his rookie partner: "It's been great. We play like we've been playing, like, forever. It seemed like we went to college together. But no, it's been great playing with him, playing alongside him. He's a dog, man. I mean, I can't ask for a better teammate. But he's one of the best for sure."

"It's been cool just having somebody there with you. Just being able to kind of vent or decompress to a little bit," Banks added about growing with Orange. "And then picking each other up when something goes wrong or even when something's going right. You know what I mean? Just making sure we stay focused, locked in, and making sure we're doing the right thing on and off the field."

Orange popped a bit later, on Baltimore's final drive of the first half — and in the least likely manner.

Aligned over the right guard on second-and-9 at the Ravens 15 with 2:15 until the break, Orange zipped out of his stance to rush rookie QB Joe Fagnano and then slammed the brakes and diverted course the opposite direction. That's right, "Big Citrus" hopped into a backpedal, even swiveled his hips both directions and dropped deep enough to get within a few feet of receiver LaJohntay Wester.

Nimbly, improbably — successfully! — Orange squeezed the throwing window for an incompletion. Afterward, he faced the Vikings benches and whipped out a strapping-the-seat-belt celebration that defensive backs use any time they lock up a receiver. Amazingly, he performed the move on the fly.

"I ain't going to lie. I looked at the sideline, and I'm like, I've got to do something, let's go hard," Orange drew laughs. "It was energy, the energy of the sideline, all the vets looking at me, waiting for me to do something. I'm going to have to throw something out there, so I threw that out there."

The big man told reporters he couldn't remember a time sinking into coverage since high school and pivoted to commending Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores' defensive schemes for putting his versatility on display.

"The stuff that coach Flo' allows us d-linemen to do is incredible, and that's the reason why he's arguably one of the best defensive coordinators in the league," Orange said, doubling down on the latter take. "Of course, it's a little hard [to pick the system up]. Like I said, I'm going to say it again, best defensive coordinator in the league, and I'm not even trying to be biased."

Orange is catching on at a good pace and prioritizing doing his 1/11^th on defense.

"The older I get, the more mature I get, I'm going to start learning the [responsibilities of other positions] of the defense, not only what my job is," Orange expressed. "That's what I'm getting into right now, understanding what the back end is doing, what the linebackers are doing, how the linebackers are flowing, how my certain step might affect their play, stuff like that. So that's kind of, you know, the hardship I'm dealing with right now — but it's definitely coming along."

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell referred to Orange as "a heck of a moving screen" in pass coverage. O'Connell spoke more in length about Banks and his progression from Preseason 1 to Preseason 2.

"I think he just continues to [understand] it's all about pad level. It's all about understanding there's a way you have to play in the NFL that the consistency of it for him will just give him more opportunities to make some plays," O'Connell commented. "And I thought he really showed up early on and he's starting to really get his football legs back underneath him. And days like this are great for it. Stack as many reps as we can. We want to be smart with him. But today was another really good step in the right direction to get him where we want to have him" before the season opener on Sept. 13.

Baltimore's offense had 4 net yards on its three possessions in the first quarter, then opened the second with a 23-yard catch-and-run. The Ravens notched another chunk pass for 17 yards during a double cornerback blitz but eventually had to settle for a Tyler Loop 49-yard field goal after linebacker Jacob Roberts shot through a gap and dropped Ravens runner Dontae McMillan for no gain.

When Banks and Orange, and other players who have taken first- or second-team reps throughout camp rotated out of the game in the seventh series, the Ravens marched 63 yards for a touchdown.

During the third quarter, General Manager Nolan Teasley participated in the game broadcast with Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen and color analysts Pete Bercich and Ben Leber, and he offered his thoughts on the tandem first-year defensive linemen and Top 100 2026 Draft selections.

"Well, there's only so many people on the planet that look and can move and have the ability of Caleb Banks," Teasley stated, before adding, "He's going to be a two-phase player in this league."

Teasley called Orange's pass coverage impressive, and he loved the impromptu celebration.

"He started really fast for us," Teasley said of the 6-foot-2, 322-pound Orange, who was the 82^nd overall pick, "and he's going to be really important as we get underway here [in the regular season]."

View the Vikings 2026 Schedule.

See future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.

See more about the 2028 NFL Draft in Minnesota.