The Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars held their first of two joint practices on Wednesday at the TCO Performance Center.
For the second time in Mike Zimmer’s tenure as the team’s head coach, the Minnesota Vikings held a joint training camp practice with another NFL franchise on Wednesday.
Back in August 2016, the Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals spent two days practicing together. On Wednesday, Minnesota began their first of two practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
After the Vikings and Jaguars practice again on Thursday, the two teams will have Friday off before they meet in a preseason matchup on Saturday inside U.S. Bank Stadium.
These practice sessions are a unique opportunity for each team to go against an opponent that will likely be among the NFL’s elite in 2018. Both Minnesota and Jacksonville are coming off 2017 seasons that ended with them finishing a game short of the Super Bowl and each of them will be attempting to achieve similar success this season.
Prior to Wednesday’s practice, members of both the Vikings and Jaguars reportedly met to emphasize that neither team wanted these next two days to be full of fights that would eventually be posted all over the internet.
There were no fights during Wednesday’s training camp session, but still plenty of action. What were some of the highlights from the Vikings’ first joint practice with the Jaguars at the TCO Performance Center?
Offense on Day 16:
Wright improving each day
For the first few Vikings training camp practices this year, wide receiver Kendall Wright struggled a bit to find his fit in the team’s offense. Lately, however, Wright seems to be getting more comfortable in Minnesota.
The receiver had a number of impressive catches on Wednesday and he has reportedly been performing well during the Vikings’ last few practices.
Beebe shining bright
A few more people are aware of Minnesota rookie receiver Chad Beebe after he caught a touchdown pass in the team’s preseason win over the Denver Broncos last Saturday. Beebe actually finished the game against the Broncos with a total of three receptions for 22 yards and a score.
On Wednesday, the undrafted rookie continued his efforts to land a spot on the Vikings’ 2018 roster.
Chad Beebe was excellent in the DB/WR drill. Had a great corner route on Canady and had extensive separation across the middle on Hayden. Diggs and Thielen won their reps, too. #Vikings
— Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) August 15, 2018
Price injures knee
Currently fighting to be among Minnesota’s final 53 this year, tight end Josiah Price cannot afford to miss any practice time if he wants a spot on the team. Unfortunately for Price, he may have to miss a few of the Vikings’ upcoming practices due to an injury he sustained on Wednesday.
Price is being carted off, couldn’t put any weight on right leg.
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) August 15, 2018
Josiah Price just got carted off the field. He covered his face with his jersey as the cart drove away and had to be helped into the facility. #Vikings
— Dane Mizutani (@DaneMizutani) August 15, 2018
No report yet on the severity of the tight end’s injury.
Thielen and Cousins building a connection
For those who watched Minnesota’s preseason game last Saturday, it was made pretty clear that quarterback Kirk Cousins has already formed a good connection with wide receiver Stefon Diggs. But don’t think Cousins is ignoring the other top receiver on the Vikings’ roster, Adam Thielen.
Out there making it look easy. #VikingsCamp pic.twitter.com/ehNuNE5Ld6
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 15, 2018
So for those worrying about Thielen not getting a target in Minnesota’s first preseason matchup, the team’s new quarterback has not even come close to forgetting about him.
Defense and Special Teams on Day 16:
Explanation revealed for Griffen’s missed time
Vikings’ defensive end Everson Griffen was absent from the Vikings’ first two practices this week and he was not present for Wednesday’s session either. No one was really sure why he wasn’t around, but a reason has finally been revealed.
An update on Everson Griffen: Sources say he's not practicing because he cut his leg on a table several days ago and the cut got infected. @Andrew_Krammer adds there's a chance Griffen could play Saturday.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) August 15, 2018
Minnesota has never been a team to shy away from its players sustaining odd injuries (yes, I’m talking about you Taylor Heinicke).
Vikings secondary plays well against Bortles
During Blake Bortles’ career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the quarterback has become known to throw the ball to his opponents on more than one occasion. Well, against Minnesota’s talented secondary on Wednesday, Bortles struggled to get the ball to the players that were actually wearing the same color jersey as him.
Minnesota Vikings
Vikings cornerback Terence Newman snatched one of Bortles’ passes, Xavier Rhodes knocked down a few more, and Harrison Smith had himself a few chances at some interceptions as well.
The Jaguars’ quarterback is likely not looking forward to facing Minnesota’s first-team defense on Saturday.
Hill has an up and down day
Undrafted rookie cornerback Holton Hill was the talk of the team during the early portion of Vikings training camp this year. Recently though, Hill has come back down to earth and been reminded of just how tough it is to play in the NFL as a rookie.
Minnesota’s young corner had a couple of moments on Wednesday where he was able to knock down a few passes. But there were also times when Hill got beat by some of Jaguars’ receivers.
It’s still okay to be excited about the rookie’s potential, but let’s not forget he still has plenty to improve before the Vikings opt to give him any significant playing time this year.