Patrick Brown and DeMarcus Love also missed Friday’s practice, the former with a mild sprained MCL and the latter with a bad shoulder. Things have gotten so dire depth-wise that the Vikings are now working out linemen and may be about to sign Bridger Buche who was just cut by the Steelers. As if things weren’t bad enough, Patrick Murphy also went down Friday with an apparent heat-related ailment.

Not a great time to be a Viking O-lineman. Unless you’re an unheralded bottom-end guy looking to make an impression.

Like The Viking Age on Facebook.
Follow Dan Zinski on Twitter.

The new offense has a ways to go. Leslie Frazier wants us not to worry though. “As our offense puts more things in, they’ll catch up in that regard. But in most cases, early in camp, the defense is usually a little ahead,” the coach reassured. Adrian Peterson put it this way: ”We’re putting in a new offense, I don’t think the defense is putting in a new defense.”

We have some feisty undrafted rookies. David Akinniyi and Ed Barham got into it during a 9-on-7 drill, then Seth Olson and draft pick DeMarcus Love joined the fray. Frazier said of the dust-up, ”I don’t mind seeing it, as long as we know how to get it ended as quickly as we did.” Yeah, wouldn’t want a rookie scrum spilling into the seats. Be a shame for one of our young guys to get knifed by a drunk.

Fireworks are preeeeeeeetty.

Charlie Johnson can’t block Jared Allen. Actually we already knew that. Now we know it more.

Jaymar Johnson looks sharp. Fun fact: “Look Sharp” was an album by the ’80 Scandanavian pop duo Roxette.

Everson Griffen wants to become more powerful. In an athletic sense, not a supervillain-conquering-the-world sense.

Follow FanSided on Facebook. Follow The Viking Age on Twitter.

Looking down the other newly-signed draft picks and their presumed roles as we begin camp:

Kyle Rudolph TE: Should get lots of action lined up with Visanthe Shiancoe in Bill Musgrave‘s offense with its preponderance of two-tight end sets. Has a chance to be an impact player from the very beginning.

Christian Ballard DT: Could be a big factor during Kevin Williams‘ four game Starcaps suspension, possibly rotating with Letroy Guion. It will be interesting to see what he shows during this brief audition. Could he wind up being K-Will’s ultimate replacement? Way too soon to tell.

Brandon Burton CB: Right now Burton looks to be no better than fifth on the CB depth chart, but he could very easily beat out Asher Allen, who isn’t exactly All-Pro material. The depth chart could get totally scrambled if Cedric Griffin or Chris Cook suffers more physical setbacks.

DeMarcus Love OL: Figures to be in the mix at right guard and might end up being Anthony Herrera’s replacement. Could also play tackle though most agree his best chance to stick long term is at guard.

Mistral Raymond DB: Right now he’s the fifth safety. That means he has a chance to be active a few games this year if someone’s hurt or the Vikings think they need extra DBs or special teams guys.

Brandon Fusco C: He’s seen as a developmental player. Maybe he can push John Sullivan and/or Jon Cooper at center but probably not in his first camp.

Ross Homan LB: I’d wager Erin Henderson will end up replacing the soon-to-depart Ben Leber at weak-side linebacker but this won’t happen until after a wide-open camp competition that will include Ross Homan. Wouldn’t shock me to see Homan end up starting at some point either because of injury or by simply winning the job.

D’Aundre Reed DE: I’m told he has talent. With Ray Edwards gone there’s a spot to be won at defensive end. Perhaps Reed will win it or perhaps he will fade into the nothingness having made barely an impression.

Stephen Burton WR: In case you haven’t noticed the Vikings aren’t exactly bursting at the seams with great wide receivers. This is another position, like linebacker, where a rookie could grab himself a spot right away.

We’ll see how these guys fare as camp and the preseason play out.

Follow FanSided on Facebook. Follow The Viking Age on Twitter.