EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings returned to action Monday at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center with a walk-through/practice that was shorter than most sessions of training camp so far.
The practice included individual drills, 7-on-7 work and team "move the ball" periods.
The session was designed to get players who participated in Saturday's preseason game back in action and to ease players who are likely to get heavy work against Arizona in practices this Wednesday and Thursday into their weeks.
It also was "Mustache Monday" around the building, an initiative led by Kirk Cousins, who had orchestrated a teamwide jersey day during the offseason workout program.
Not participating: Lewis Cine, Mekhi Blackmon, Kene Nwangwu, Brian Asamoah II, C.J. Coldon, Jr., NaJee Thompson, Garett Maag, N'Keal Harry, T.J. Hockenson, Esezi Otomewo and Danielle Hunter did not participate. T.J. Hockenson was limited as he continues working through an equilibrium issue caused by an inner ear infection. Blackmon, Asamoah and Maag ran on a side field.
Returned to practice: Jalen Nailor and Jonathan Bullard returned to practice, and Jordan Addison participated while wearing a red, no-contact penny jersey.
Here are three observations from Monday's session presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
1. Cousins crisp
Aside from his sharp analysis on mustaches, Cousins was crisp throwing the football with connections to Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn, but he also found tight end Josh Oliver in 7-on-7 and twice in the red zone.
Nick Mullens also put a ball down the middle to Brandon Powell on the money and between defenders.
Reps were limited for the entire team, so Jaren Hall didn't take many snaps, but he and newcomer Jordan Ta'amu did make more throws during position drills.
2. Nickel and diming
With a considerable portion of practice directed toward 7-on-7, the Vikings defense used its nickel (five defensive backs) and dime (six defensive backs) packages.
The seven defenders with the first team in 7-on-7 were linebackers Jordan Hicks and Ivan Pace, Jr., cornerbacks Akayleb Evans and Byron Murphy, Jr., and safeties Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus.
When the Vikings shifted to dime, cornerback Joejuan Williams subbed in for Pace.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of Jan. 7, 2024.

3 WR Jordan Addison


78 T Hakeem Adeniji

78 T Hakeem Adeniji

33 LB Brian Asamoah II

33 LB Brian Asamoah II

54 LB Anthony Barr

54 LB Anthony Barr

5 CB Mekhi Blackmon


23 CB Andrew Booth Jr.

23 CB Andrew Booth Jr.

56 C Garrett Bradbury

56 C Garrett Bradbury

64 T Blake Brandel

64 T Blake Brandel

90 DL Jonathan Bullard

90 DL Jonathan Bullard

24 S Camryn Bynum

24 S Camryn Bynum

55 OLB Andre Carter II

55 OLB Andre Carter II

32 RB Ty Chandler

32 RB Ty Chandler

6 S Lewis Cine

6 S Lewis Cine

71 T Christian Darrisaw

71 T Christian Darrisaw

52 DL Sheldon Day

52 DL Sheldon Day

42 LS Andrew DePaola

42 LS Andrew DePaola

15 QB Joshua Dobbs

15 QB Joshua Dobbs

21 CB Akayleb Evans

21 CB Akayleb Evans

16 QB Jaren Hall

16 QB Jaren Hall

30 FB C.J. Ham

30 FB C.J. Ham

58 LB Jordan Hicks

58 LB Jordan Hicks

99 OLB Danielle Hunter

99 OLB Danielle Hunter

67 G Ed Ingram

67 G Ed Ingram

81 WR Lucky Jackson

81 WR Lucky Jackson

25 S Theo Jackson

25 S Theo Jackson

18 Justin Jefferson

18 Justin Jefferson

91 OLB Pat Jones II

91 OLB Pat Jones II

1 K Greg Joseph

1 K Greg Joseph

2 RB Alexander Mattison

2 RB Alexander Mattison

44 S Josh Metellus

44 S Josh Metellus

12 QB Nick Mullens

12 QB Nick Mullens

86 TE Johnny Mundt

86 TE Johnny Mundt

7 CB Byron Murphy Jr.

7 CB Byron Murphy Jr.

34 TE Nick Muse

34 TE Nick Muse

26 RB Kene Nwangwu

26 RB Kene Nwangwu

75 T Brian O'Neill

75 T Brian O'Neill

84 TE Josh Oliver

84 TE Josh Oliver

17 WR K.J. Osborn

17 WR K.J. Osborn

40 LB Ivan Pace Jr.

40 LB Ivan Pace Jr.

97 DL Harrison Phillips

97 DL Harrison Phillips

4 WR Brandon Powell

4 WR Brandon Powell

76 T David Quessenberry

76 T David Quessenberry

62 G/C Chris Reed

62 G/C Chris Reed

G Dalton Risner

66 G Dalton Risner

93 DL Jaquelin Roy

93 DL Jaquelin Roy

65 G/C Austin Schlottmann

65 G/C Austin Schlottmann

22 S Harrison Smith

22 S Harrison Smith

50 DL T.J. Smith

50 DL T.J. Smith

11 CB NaJee Thompson

11 CB Najee Thompson

95 DL Khyiris Tonga

95 DL Khyiris Tonga

59 LB Nick Vigil

59 LB Nick Vigil

20 S Jay Ward


14 P Ryan Wright

14 P Ryan Wright
3. Respecting the jersey
Teammates made sure to protect Addison.
The ball found him twice on consecutive plays in the red zone. Pace and Murphy each laid off from making as much contact as they would have during a compete portion of practice.
The same occurred on the final play of the day, when Smith refrained from making contact with Addison.