The Minnesota Vikings held their first full-team practice at training camp this year on Saturday at the brand new TCO Performance Center.
During the first two days of training camp for the Minnesota Vikings this year, the team’s younger players were given the opportunity to shine before the veterans arrived on Friday. These young Vikings took a backseat on Saturday as the team’s entire 90-man roster practiced together for the first time at this year’s training camp.
Despite Minnesota not practicing in pads just yet, there were still a number of moments that stood out from the rest during the team’s third training camp session of 2018.
Diggs and Thielen pick up where they left off
Heading into the 2018 season, the Vikings have arguably the best receiving duo in the NFL in Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.
During their first day of training camp practice, neither Diggs or Thielen showed any signs of slowing down this year. Instead, they just continued to wow the crowd in the stands with their impressive catches.
.@stefondiggs with the play of the day so far in 1 on 1s. Reminiscent of another former Viking. #Mossed #Vikings pic.twitter.com/DGSMhhTJWv
— Joe Kipp (day 1 jordan love fan) (@joepkipp) July 28, 2018
.@stefondiggs wasn’t the only one with a spectacular catch today. Bottom of the screen @athielen19 with a nice snag #VikingsTrainingCamp pic.twitter.com/UADO2VUrAt
— Joe Kipp (day 1 jordan love fan) (@joepkipp) July 28, 2018
Rhodes impressed by the young corners
Despite this only being his sixth year in the NFL, Minnesota cornerback Xavier Rhodes is already one of the veteran leaders of the team’s defensive backfield.
Following Saturday’s practice, Rhodes talked to the local media about how impressed he has been so far with rookie corners Mike Hughes and Holton Hill. These weren’t just generic responses from Rhodes either, he sounded downright giddy when he was asked about Hill.
“He didn't look like a rookie today.” -@XavierRhodes29_ on @_Bigmikee1#VikingsCamp
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 28, 2018
Rhodes when asked about Hill: "Man, I was waiting for that question!" Very enthusiastic about Hill, who has already pulled Rhodes aside to ask questions.
— Eric Thompson (@eric_j_thompson) July 28, 2018
Both Thielen and Rhodes had praise for Mike Hughes, who they said was playing and absorbing information better than you'd expect from a rookie. Thielen called him instinctive and had pretty tight coverage on him throughout the offseason.
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) July 28, 2018
Starting offensive line taking shape
After beginning last season as the Vikings’ starting right tackle, it appears as though the talk about Mike Remmers moving inside to guard is becoming much closer to a reality. During Minnesota’s practice on Saturday, the team rolled out a first-team offensive line that included Remmers, Riley Reiff, Nick Easton, Tom Compton, and Rashod Hill.
Center Pat Elflein is expected to return to the field before the season begins in a few weeks and when that happens, Compton will be the one to likely move back to a reserve role.
Vikings offensive line first teamers as expected today with Elflein out left to right Reiff Compton Easton Remmers Hill
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 28, 2018
Injury updates
Minnesota center Pat Elflein (ankle and shoulder) and receiver Stacy Coley (groin) were the only two players that did not participate in Saturday’s training camp practice. Coley also missed Thursday’s practice with the same injury and he cannot afford to miss much time if he wants a spot on the Vikings’ roster this year.
Right tackle Rashod Hill was a participant in practice on Saturday, but he ended up missing some of the session after he was seen throwing up. Rookie tackle Brian O’Neill was given some reps with Minnesota’s first-team offensive line as Hill watched from the sideline.
Vikings running back Dalvin Cook continues to look like he is close to being 100 percent after tearing his ACL last season. Without the aid of a knee brace, Cook reportedly looked impressive and showed no sign of any negative effects from his knee injury.
Minnesota will hold their next training camp session on Sunday with a walk-thru at 10:30 a.m. CT and practice at 2:45 p.m. CT.