EAGAN, Minn. — Ever been at a wedding or club and just starting to feel the groove as the DJ puts on a slow song?
There was a slight football parallel Friday during the third practice of 2025 Vikings Training Camp presented by Omni Viking Lakes.
Players and coaches returned to the outdoor fields and donned shells for the first time of camp but spent about half their time on the field in a walk-through setting.
After two days of fairly fast-paced practices, Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell opted to have players focus on the above-the-neck aspects of the game.
The day with fewer physical demands preceded Saturday's session is the first that is open to the public.
O'Connell addressed media members before the session to let them know receiver Justin Jefferson is dealing with a "very minor hamstring strain" and will miss some practice (more details here).
Safety Joshua Metellus attended but did not participate because of a minor ankle injury for the second consecutive day, and veteran safety Harrison Smith also attended but did not participate. Theo Jackson and Jay Ward were with the first group in place of Metellus and Smith.
Here are three observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
View photos of players during 2025 Vikings Training Camp practice on July 25 at the TCO Performance Center.
1. Where details matter the most
By stripping things down and having quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and tight ends spend a significant amount of time running routes on air, coaches could be extra hawkish with real-time critiques of route running in the red zone.
The condensed space magnifies the importance of every little detail, and O'Connell helped hammer home the importance of the finer points of route combinations and breaks.
2. Putting in the extra work
Just because the practice session was shorter doesn't mean the work stopped.
Veteran fullback C.J. Ham and linebacker Eric Wilson spent a good deal of time guiding young running backs Ty Chandler, Zavier Scott and Tre Stewart through several blitz pickup drills.
Others made sure to spend extra time catching passes and simulated kicks from the Jugs machines.
3. Fries
Will Fries, who signed in free agency and spent the offseason rehabbing a broken leg, continued his return to action.
He lined up at right guard with the first group in between right tackle Brian O'Neill and center Ryan Kelly. Minnesota later got some snaps for second-year pro Michael Jurgens at center with the first group.
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