5 Minnesota Vikings who are having a quiet training camp

Minnesota Vikings Training Camp 2024 is beginning to wind down. We've heard of the players who are balling out with prime examples being JJ McCarthy, Jalen Nailor, Theo Jackson, and of course Justin Jefferson. It's exciting to hear about these players who are thriving and showing out every single practice, but there's also a plethora of players who have had quiet camps.

Having a quiet camp isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes players just go about their business and don't make the headline-grabbing plays. Others do struggle and disappoint the fans and more importantly, the coaches.

Here's a list of five members of the Minnesota Vikings who are having a quiet training camp so far.

IOL Dan Feeney

It's not always a bad thing when an offensive lineman doesn't get noticed in camp. That usually means they are doing their job and not getting dominated at the line of scrimmage or jumping offsides when plays are run with referees in attendance.

That may be the case with Dan Feeney and if so, then great. But, it would be nice to hear something about his performance. There hasn't been one report about how he's doing positively or negatively. It's been completely silent. This isn't overly concerning but it is a bit odd.

At this point, Feeney is the backup center, and one would think something would've been reported about how he's doing. There have been some rumblings on social media about Dalton Risner being a surprise cut and if that were to happen, Feeney, being a swing interior offensive lineman, would be someone who could fill that spot. If there were reports that he was dominating or having very good days, it would make the Risner release rumors easier to swallow.

One thing in Feeney's corner is that there hasn't been much buzz about the competition at his spot. Michael Jurgens was a seventh-round pick by the Vikings who they are extremely high on. Many figured that he could earn a spot on the roster but his camp has been hush-hush as well. Feeney is still likely to make the team, but some news on how he's fitting in and performing would help shed light on his chances.

DL Jaquelin Roy

The Vikings' defensive line is one of the weaker positions on the team. They are deeper at this position than they were a season ago, but still lack difference makers. The Vikings need some dawgs on that defensive line and one guy who looked ready to make that jump back in May was Jaquelin Roy.

Roy was one of the most impressive players during the OTAs and mini-camp. He was dominant and flashed the ability as a run stuffer and pass rusher that made him a star at LSU and a fifth-round pick of the Vikings. He was on the short list of players who would be stars in training camp but that hasn't come to pass.

There has been little buzz surrounding Roy and what he's done in Eagan this year. Again, it's kind of hard for defensive linemen to have a lot of buzzworthy moments when they can't tackle the quarterback and have to bear-hug the running back. Still, he could be feasting in the backfield and pushing blockers into the backfield, but that doesn't appear to be happening either.

Roy is someone who needs to show out in the preseason games. He's still a favorite to make the final roster but seeing him capture some of the magic he showed in May would be a major positive as the season opener approaches.

TE Josh Oliver

The Vikings' tight end corps is actually one of their deeper positions on the team. TJ Hockenson leads the group, but he's still recovering from the cheap shot that Kerby Joseph laid on him late in the season, and is likely to miss the first five games or so because of it. In his absence, the Vikings signed Robert Tonyan who had a great mini-camp to go along with Nick Muse and veteran Johnny Mundt.

Mundt has had an excellent training camp and has shown some fire and aggression on the field. Muse also has made some plays, as has Tonyan. One guy who we aren't hearing much about is Josh Oliver. Oliver has made his money in the NFL as a blocker but was turning heads in the Vikings' camp a year ago with his performance as a pass catcher. He also had a career year catching the football in 2023, so with Hockenson out it, was assumed his role as a weapon in the offense would increase.

That hasn't been the case in training camp. It appears the Vikings will lean on the run game more, and Oliver will go back to being a blocker. That's fine, and is probably the reason why his camp has been so silent.

Edge Jihad Ward

The Vikings signed a handful of veteran players this offseason and one who has been mysteriously quiet during camp is pass rusher Jihad Ward. Ward spent last season with the New York Giants. Despite playing for such a downtrodden team, he managed to tally five sacks. He's got some serious pass-rushing skills and his 18 career sacks can attest to that.

The veteran hasn't done a ton in camp so far, at least not much that has been reported. It is difficult for edge rushers to have wow moments in camp as they aren't allowed to hit the quarterback and plays that would've ended up in sacks are permitted to live on. That being said, it would be nice to get a report of him being the one to pressure the quarterback, drop in coverage, and swat a pass, or be the first to wrap up a ball carrier in the backfield.

Who gets let go in this edge rushing corps will be interesting to see. It's doubtful that Jihad Ward, Patrick Jones, and Andre Carter all make the team. The odd man out could be attractive to another club, and having some splash plays in camp would help Ward win this battle or help him end up with another squad.

WR Trishton Jackson

When it comes to Vikings receivers in training camp, there are plenty who are making noise. Obviously, Justin Jefferson is one of them as he makes an amazing play or two just about every single day. Jordan Addison is also balling out regularly, and Jalen Nailor has been a beast and one of the biggest breakout stars of camp with his dominating performances.

Even players down the roster are turning heads. Malik Knowles and Lucky Jackson have formed a rapport with JJ McCarthy and undrafted wide receiver, Jeshaun Jones has had some nice moments. Thayer Thomas has made a flashy play here and there, but one pass catcher that hasn't generated a ton of buzz is Trishton Jackson. He was a star of previous Vikings' camps and has even had a few moments in the regular season, but there hasn't been a ton of talk regarding his performance this season.

It's a little concerning for his chances of making the final 53-man roster when about five players are battling for one spot on the team. Maybe he has already won the favor of the coaches and his general manager, but seeing him make a few plays in practice or a preseason game, would go a long way in boosting his chances of remaining in purple.

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