EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings issued preplanned vet days to safety Harrison Smith, cornerback Patrick Peterson and right guard Jesse Davis on Tuesday during a practice in helmets and shells.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell explained the decision earlier in the day after he provided an update on Irv Smith, Jr., undergoing thumb surgery earlier that day. The Vikings hope that Smith will be ready by their Sept. 11 opener against the Packers.
Because the Vikings were not in full pads one day after their first session in them and the fact that Minnesota has four full-padded practices in the next six days scheduled, O'Connell thought it was a good day to reduce the trio's workload. Smith, Peterson and Davis spent a little bit of time on stationary bicycles.
O'Connell filled Smith's spot with first-round pick Lewis Cine at safety. Second-round picks Andrew Booth, Jr., and Ed Ingram stepped in at cornerback and right guard, respectively. Cine joined Camryn Bynum at the back end of the defense. Cameron Dantzler moved from right cornerback to left cornerback in place of Peterson, and Booth stepped in at right cornerback.
It seemed like the workload was reduced for the first and second teams during the practice, which was conducted with a "feels like" temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The session wrapped up around 4:05 p.m., about 10 minutes earlier than Monday.
Dalvin Cook left the field briefly during individual drills, but he later returned.
Running back Kene Nwangwu did not practice, and cornerback Kris Boyd did not participate in team periods.
Receiver Blake Proehl and linebacker Ryan Connelly remain on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
Here are three observations from Tuesday's session presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
1. O-line switches it up
Ingram was the only change with the first-team offensive line, but Minnesota mixed it up on the interior of the second unit.
Chris Reed lined up at center, and Austin Schlottmann played right guard. Each player slid a position to the right of where he was the previous day, and Kyle Hinton filled in at left guard with the second team. Hinton also manned the spot with the third team.
2. Cook shows love for game in another way
There's little doubt how much Cook loves football.
He's shown it time and time again with his energy and support for teammates when not in the game.
Alexander Mattison stepped into Cook's spot when the three-time Pro Bowler was receiving treatment in Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
When Cook returned, he hopped in with Minnesota's second unit to make up for missing a rep.
3. One, two, three
Numerous players spend time working on different types of things after practice, whether it's focusing on hand placement while blocking or running additional routes or defensive players catching footballs fired through a Jugs machine.
Rookie Jalen Nailor added flair on the warm, windy day by fielding punts.
Nailor finished his work by successfully fielding a punt from the machine while holding two other footballs.
