Minnesota Vikings Training Camp 2018: Day 10 recap

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Defense and Special Teams on Day 10:

Hughes gets some praise from Priefer

During his presser with the local media on Monday, Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer could not hold back his excitement when talking about rookie cornerback Mike Hughes.

"“I see potential for Mike Hughes doing anything he wants to in this game. He’s very talented, he’s very intelligent. He’s very quiet and unassuming. I think he’s one of the guys that really understands what he needs to do to get better. He knows he hasn’t arrived yet, even though he was a first round draft pick. I love his attitude, I love his effort, and he’s improving every day.”"

During this year’s training camp, Hughes has been auditioning to be a return-man for Minnesota. Priefer mentioned that the rookie should get some kick return opportunities and possibly even some punt return chances during the Vikings’ preseason game on Saturday.

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On Monday, Hughes took turns catching punts with receiver Stacy Coley and cornerback Marcus Sherels.

Kicking battle still close

An update on the Vikings’ competition is pretty much a daily occurrence in these training camp recaps. But that’s because there really has not been a clear frontrunner established from the battle.

One day Kai Forbath will have a good afternoon of kicking and Daniel Carlson will miss a few. Then the next day Forbath will miss a couple kicks and Carlson will convert on all of his.

Priefer mentioned on Monday that the kicking competition between the two this year is still, “very close.”

He was also asked if Carlson and Forbath were going to alternate back and forth during Minnesota’s preseason matchup on Saturday and the special teams coach said that decision will be made by Mike Zimmer.