Coaching camps have kicked off across the NFL, and our crew reporters are on the bottom every day following all of the motion. The Minnesota Vikings' camp is happening in Eagan, Minnesota, and Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert has the most recent intel on standouts, highlights, place battles, depth chart motion, lower selections and naturally the quarterback room.
What follows is all the pieces we're seeing and listening to at Vikings camp. Who're the breakouts to observe, particularly for fantasy soccer? And which gamers on the roster bubble may make the ultimate 53?
Camp updates for all 32 groups
Newest information from Vikings camp
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Two extra Minnesota Vikings receivers left apply with obvious accidents Wednesday, the continuation of a summer-long development that has left the crew with little alternative however to hunt reinforcements from outdoors the group.
Rookie Tai Felton appeared to injure his left hand in the course of the full-pads apply, the Vikings' last work of coaching camp. Then, veteran Jordan Addison ran off the sphere holding his arm and was attended to by athletic trainers. Felton and Addison remained on the sideline however didn't return to apply. Felton, whom the Vikings have penciled in as their Week 1 kickoff returner, had a wrap on his hand after apply.
The Vikings have needed to piece collectively their receiver place this summer season. Justin Jefferson missed 24 days due to a strained hamstring and No. 3 receiver Jalen Nailor (hand) hasn't practiced in per week. Addison, in the meantime, will serve a three-game suspension to begin the season.
The crew will discover commerce choices within the coming days and monitor the waiver wire when roster cuts start subsequent week.
In the meantime, cornerback Jeff Okudah additionally left apply early with an obvious foot damage.
Wednesday, Aug. 13
EAGAN, Minn. — The gang gathered at TCO Efficiency Middle largely to see how Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy fared within the first of a two-day joint apply with the New England Patriots.
As an alternative, it was rookie guard Donovan Jackson who made essentially the most memorable play the Vikings' offense produced. Jackson, the No. 24 total decide of the 2025 draft, put two Patriots defensive backs on the bottom whereas blocking for a display go that working again Aaron Jones Sr. took about 65 yards for a landing. His block on security Jaylinn Hawkins helped spring Jones down the sideline, after which he knocked down security Jabrill Peppers for good measure.
“I appeared up and all I noticed was Aaron proper there and simply inexperienced grass,” Jackson mentioned. “He gave me the ‘Go' name and I took off working. I used to be like, I do not know who I am working to. However I noticed DBs coming form of come into the fold and I used to be like, ‘I received to go get that.' Aaron did an ideal job establishing blocks for me. I needed to run down and run all the best way again and run 4 extra performs. It was enjoyable to get a very good play off.”
Jackson has taken each first-team rep at left guard for the reason that begin of coaching camp and seems to be a lock to begin in Week 1 on the Chicago Bears.
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McCarthy had some inaccurate moments Tuesday, notably on a third-down go that sailed excessive over receiver Jalen Nailor's head and was intercepted. However then again, McCarthy and receiver Jordan Addison have been locked in collectively. They related twice in a move-the-ball interval, in addition to in a two-minute drill to transform a fourth down.
Placekicker Will Reichard was 5-for-5 in apply, bringing his camp numbers to 24-29.
Wednesday, Aug. 6
A 12 months in the past this month, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy tore the meniscus in his proper knee in his first NFL preseason sport. After watching movie of the sport, the Vikings imagine the damage occurred when he planted his leg whereas scrambling down the correct sideline.
McCarthy has appeared no much less keen to scramble downfield throughout coaching camp this summer season, now that he's totally recovered from the damage. As he prepares to return to the sphere Saturday within the Vikings' preseason opener in opposition to the Houston Texans, McCarthy says he's “extraordinarily comfy” working when he must.
With a smile, he added: “I nearly want you did not ask that as a result of I wish to maintain that on the low. I believe that is an enormous a part of my sport. It is a weapon on this league. You form of need to have it, with these edge rushers and the completely different stress seems.”
Maybe McCarthy's finest run in camp got here throughout Monday night time's full-pads apply, when he darted between go rushers and dove into the tip zone for a landing.
“There is a time and place actually for me once I put a shoulder down or once I slide,” McCarthy mentioned. “And there is much more occasions once I'll be sliding. It is simply adapting with the sport, adapting to when the frenzy lanes are occurring, how contained they're. However it's undoubtedly an enormous a part of my sport that I will undoubtedly make the most of.”
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Thursday will mark two weeks since receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) has practiced. Requested if Jefferson might be able to take part in subsequent week's joint practices with the New England Patriots, coach Kevin O'Connell would solely say that Jefferson is enhancing and is “ramping up.”
McCarthy led a easy drive throughout 11-on-11 work in Wednesday's full-pads apply, however the possession ended prematurely when linebacker Blake Cashman reached round receiver Jordan Addison for an interception close to the 20-yard line.
Tight finish T.J. Hockenson (hip/leg/again) returned to apply Wednesday.
Middle Ryan Kelly (elbow) participated within the walk-through however not apply. He continued to get replaced by second-year heart Michael Jurgens.
Camp recap: Who has been your standout performer of camp?
LB Jonathan Greenard. He has taken his sport to a different stage, which is saying one thing contemplating he made his first Professional Bowl look in 2024 after recording 12 sacks in his first season with the Vikings. Greenard has been wreaking fixed havoc throughout crew drills and is a giant motive why the first-team protection has largely dominated the first-team offense after they have been matched up collectively.
“I believe now he is comfy,” O'Connell mentioned. “He is aware of precisely what our scheme is. I believe you are seeing that throughout the board with our protection proper now.”
Camp recap: What's the largest query to reply in your crew in preseason video games?
Backup quarterback. Whereas nearly all of consideration in camp has been on McCarthy, the Vikings have been more and more mixing and matching the passers behind him to find out who — if any of them — must be the No. 2 when the common season begins.
The crew entered camp with Sam Howell, whom they acquired this spring from the Seattle Seahawks, working with the second-team offense. However whereas Howell has made some good throws, he has not been constant sufficient to lock down the position. Veteran Brett Rypien, final season's No. 3 quarterback, has begun to separate second-team reps with Howell.
If neither of them works out, it is doable the Vikings will look to commerce for or declare a quarterback later this month.
Monday, Aug. 4
The Vikings' resolution to signal veteran tight finish Nick Vannett coincided with an damage to starter T.J. Hockenson. Coach Kevin O'Connell insisted, nevertheless, that the strikes weren't associated.
Hockenson suffered what O'Connell mentioned was a hip/leg/again damage throughout apply on Saturday. He didn't take part in apply Monday night time, however O'Connell mentioned he'll seemingly resume practising in some unspecified time in the future this week.
As an alternative, Vannett will present further depth in the course of the preseason as tight finish Gavin Bartholomew (again), a sixth-round decide, stays on the PUP record.
“We may have been in a short time testing our depth on the place,” O'Connell mentioned.
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Saturday, Aug. 2
The Minnesota Vikings' sometimes peaceable coaching camp turned feisty Saturday when a pair of shoving matches prompted coach Kevin O'Connell to briefly halt apply and collect your complete crew for a couple of minutes of debate.
The primary scrum began when linebacker Brian Asamoah II introduced working again Aaron Jones Sr. to the bottom throughout crew drills. Proper guard Will Fries objected and went after Asamoah earlier than the edges have been rapidly separated. Shortly thereafter, defensive lineman Tyler Batty lower via the road to hit Jones on one other working play, hitting him onerous sufficient that quarterback J.J. McCarthy ran over and shoved Batty to get him away from Jones.
O'Connell has had a strict no-fighting rule since arriving in Minnesota for the 2022 season, and has sometimes thrown gamers out of form for extracurricular exercise. It didn't seem that anybody departed Saturday's apply early.
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Saturday was the Vikings offense's finest apply since pads got here on. McCarthy was particularly sharp, hitting receiver Jordan Addison within the nook of the tip zone on a pink zone drill. He additionally threw a decisive downfield seam go that tight finish Josh Oliver had in his palms earlier than it was knocked away.
Tight finish T.J. Hockenson didn't end apply and spent a part of the time stretching with athletic trainers.
Left sort out Christian Darrisaw, who's within the last levels of restoration from a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, had what seemed to be a deliberate break day Saturday.
Friday, Aug. 1
Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson has now missed a full week of coaching camp, and a complete of six practices, since struggling a strained left hamstring July 24.
Jefferson has begun doing rehabilitation work on a facet discipline, however has not been in uniform for any of the crew's previous six practices. Coach Kevin O'Connell has made clear that Jefferson's standing for Week 1 is just not doubtful, and he mentioned earlier this week that he hoped to get him again on the sphere earlier than coaching camp ends. However talking Friday, O'Connell mentioned he had no replace on Jefferson's timeline.
“I do know the experiences again to me have been actually optimistic,” O'Connell mentioned.
Jefferson has spent every apply with the offense, typically throwing the ball throughout particular person receiving drills and infrequently speaking with O'Connell throughout crew periods.
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Left sort out Christian Darrisaw, who's recovering from a torn ACL and MCL suffered final fall, has continued to work into some crew drills. That has prompted optimism that he might be prepared for Week 1. Talking Friday, Darrisaw mentioned: “We'll see how the physique reacts, however all the pieces is trending in the correct course and all the pieces is feeling good.”
Security Theo Jackson, who's vying for taking part in time on protection following the departure of longtime starter Cam Bynum, had two interceptions Friday.
Wednesday, July 30
On a day in any other case dominated by their protection, the Vikings received one bit of excellent information for his or her offense. Left sort out Christian Darrisaw, who's recovering from a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, participated in full crew drills for the primary time since coaching camp started.
Darrisaw had been working solely in particular person place drills as a part of the Vikings' plan to slowly ramp him up. He was on the sphere for roughly half of the first-team snaps. Veteran Justin Skule, who most likely will begin in Week 1 if Darrisaw is not prepared, took the remainder of the first-team snaps.
However Wednesday's look — within the Vikings' second full-pads apply of summer season — was an necessary milestone for Darrisaw. The Vikings nonetheless have 40 days till their Week 1 sport on the Chicago Bears, and it seems Darrisaw has a very good probability to be prepared for it.
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Regardless of Darrisaw's presence, the Vikings' first-team protection destroyed the beginning offense. The offense moved the ball previous the road of scrimmage solely as soon as on in its first eight performs.
All 4 Vikings quarterbacks threw one interception, and J.J. McCarthy almost threw his second close to the tip of a 2-minute drill when he tried to throw throughout his physique to working again Aaron Jones Sr. The ball sailed over Jones' head after which via the palms of linebacker Blake Cashman as nicely.
Cornerback Dwight McGlothern had an interception on three consecutive performs. After selecting off Max Brosmer, he ran throughout the sphere and handed the ball to receiver Justin Jefferson, who was watching from the sideline. “We have been simply speaking trash,” McGlothern mentioned.
Tuesday, July 29
The Vikings are in no hurry to get receiver Justin Jefferson again on the apply discipline after he strained his left hamstring on the second day of coaching camp. They don't, nevertheless, seem fascinated by mothballing him for the remainder of the summer season.
“The best way I have a look at it … is that you just nonetheless wish to have him again sooner slightly than later,” coach Kevin O'Connell mentioned Tuesday. “I've zero fear in regards to the [regular-season] opener, however there's nonetheless plenty of time between from time to time. What that appears like, we'll be good. However on the identical time, he desires to get again on the market. He would not wish to keep carrying what I put on to apply for much longer.”
Within the meantime, O'Connell mentioned he challenged Jefferson to make his presence recognized at apply despite the fact that he isn't taking part. Jefferson has executed simply that, loudly and energetically circulating amongst gamers throughout drills and speaking to younger receivers in between reps.
“There's plenty of methods we are able to maximize our time,” O'Connell mentioned. “He is one in every of our captains and a man that units the tone on this constructing, and he is knocking it out of the park.”
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Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (undisclosed) returned to apply on a restricted foundation Tuesday. A couple of half-dozen veterans, together with security Harrison Smith and defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, sat out for what seemed to be a veteran relaxation day.
Placekicker Will Reichard made 5 of seven makes an attempt throughout particular groups and third-down intervals, bringing his whole for camp to 10 conversions in 13 makes an attempt.
Here is a takeaway on how pink zone drills went:
On yesterday's pink zone drills, in video kind… pic.twitter.com/Kg5SAnCATe
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) July 30, 2025
Monday, July 28
If there was a standout participant within the Vikings' first full-pads apply of the summer season, it was linebacker Dallas Turner. Turner, the second of the Vikings' two first-round picks in 2024, notched a sack of quarterback J.J. McCarthy and in addition tipped a go within the flat, almost turning it into an interception.
Tuesday's apply started to reply two of the important thing questions of camp. Will Turner earn himself extra enjoying time after showing in solely 315 defensive snaps as a rookie? And in that case, how will the Vikings get him on the sphere?
On today, no less than, Turner was one in every of three outdoors linebackers on the sphere with the primary crew, together with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. They made room for Turner by utilizing Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus as their safeties, down from the three-safety look they sometimes utilized in 2023 and 2024.
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New proper guard Will Fries labored with the primary crew for about half of its snaps Monday as he continues to ramp up following his offseason restoration from a damaged leg. Blake Brandel changed him for the rest of the snaps, whereas rookie Donovan Jackson took each first-team snap at left guard.
Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers labored on a facet discipline to rehabilitate an undisclosed damage. The Vikings' prime two cornerbacks in crew drills have been Byron Murphy Jr. and Jeff Okudah.
The Vikings had curiosity in signing defensive sort out Christian Wilkins when he was a free agent in 2024, partially as a result of he performed three seasons with the Miami Dolphins when Flores was the pinnacle coach there. Flores deferred to common supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah when requested if he wished the Vikings to signal him now that Wilkins is a free agent: “I've plenty of historical past with Christian. I form of let Kwesi and his workers deal with that facet. We have got a bunch we really feel fairly good about D-line smart, however I do not thoughts including extra. However I let these guys deal with that.”
Saturday, July 26
Because the Vikings put together quarterback J.J. McCarthy for his first season as an NFL starter, Minnesota made a counterintuitive request of him: In sure circumstances, they need him to take some velocity off his throws.
That seemed to be no less than a part of the emphasis of a slower-tempo apply on Friday that resembled a jog-thru with helmets, after which coach Kevin O'Connell mentioned McCarthy threw the ball “rather well.” Then, on Saturday, he made two throws particularly that instructed he's making the adjustment the Vikings need him to. In every case, he layered a go roughly 20 yards within the air, over defenders however gentle sufficient to drop into the palms of tight finish T.J. Hockenson and large receiver Jalen Nailor, respectively.
“He is engaged on completely different trajectories,” O'Connell mentioned. “You are still seeing the revolutions on the ball however not that heavy end.”
There may be nonetheless extra work to be executed, in fact. Earlier within the apply, McCarthy had rifled a brief go towards working again Aaron Jones, who could not react quick sufficient to catch what ought to have been a straightforward completion. However shut observers of apply can see the progress.
Friday, July 25
Rely new Minnesota Vikings heart Ryan Kelly amongst those that are bought on quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Kelly signed with the crew as a free agent in March after 9 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and rapidly started working. He mentioned he performed golf with McCarthy and had dinner with him since then, along with practising via the spring and into the summer season.
“The best way he carries himself at 22, 23 years previous is so spectacular,” Kelly mentioned. “I look again at a number of the veteran quarterbacks I've had, [Philip] Rivers, [Andrew] Luck, these guys. And you'll see that at such an early age, it is spectacular. … The entire group holds him to a excessive normal, however it's not almost the usual he holds himself to. I believe that when you could have that at 22, 23 years previous, that is our man. You rally round that as a result of you recognize that he is doing all the pieces he can to achieve success, and definitely we are going to take as a lot off his plate as doable and simply maintain rolling.”
Kelly is one in every of three new starters the Vikings acquired for McCarthy's first offensive line, together with proper guard Will Fries and left guard Donovan Jackson.
Thursday July 24
If there may be one factor Justin Jefferson discovered throughout his injury-ravaged 2023 season, it was to take heed to his physique.
So when he felt tightness in his legs Thursday on the second day of the Minnesota Vikings' coaching camp, Jefferson did not hesitate. He sat out a few third of the apply, together with many of the 11-on-11 work, and mentioned there was no motive to push via so early in camp.
“Simply having a bit little bit of tightness,” he mentioned. “With the previous current accidents and the stuff that I had gone via earlier than, simply taking precautions and understanding that it is the second day of camp — not the thirtieth. Simply ensuring that I am totally wholesome and I am good to go, particularly when the season begins.”
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Security Josh Metellus missed apply Thursday due to what the Vikings attributed to a light ankle damage. Metellus, who sat out some drills this spring as his agent negotiated for a contract extension, mentioned Wednesday that it was too near the beginning of the season to conduct a “hold-in” throughout coaching camp.
Wednesday July 23
After a full offseason of throwing to his teammates, and earlier than a coaching camp that might characteristic much more throwing, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy had an concept: How about some throwing?
McCarthy organized a pair of on-field exercises with teammates this summer season, one close to Nashville, Tennessee, and one other in a St. Paul, Minnesota, suburb, in preparation for his first season as an NFL starter. Opinions fluctuate on the importance of such exercises, however McCarthy mentioned there's a worth in quantity.
“The extra reps the higher,” McCarthy mentioned Wednesday after the Vikings' first apply of coaching camp. “Quite a lot of this offense is predicated on timing and rhythm, and having the ability to get as many reps as doable goes to [be] necessary going into this camp and this season.”
In Tennessee, McCarthy met up with tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver, together with working backs Jordan Mason and Ty Chandler. He was joined by a bigger group in Minnesota that additionally included receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
“It is at all times good constructing a very good connection outdoors of the constructing at any time when you'll be able to,” Addison mentioned, “and simply maintain that chemistry going. It was excessive vibes good spirit, and simply having enjoyable.”
Tuesday, July 22
After a busy offseason that pushed their 2025 money dedication for gamers to greater than $300 million, the Minnesota Vikings enter coaching camp with out a lot leftover enterprise — apart from one participant particularly.
Josh Metellus, who has performed 90% of the Vikings' defensive snaps the previous two seasons in a hybrid security position, has a contract that may void after this season. He participated in solely a portion of spring drills, and talks haven't but led to a brand new contract. However Metellus reported Tuesday to coaching camp and, requested if he anticipated full participation in every coaching camp apply, common supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah mentioned: “From what we perceive.”
Adofo-Mensah added: “We've nice dialogue along with his agent, and we'll proceed to have that, and we'll navigate from there.”
The Vikings have a beginning security place open following the departure of Cam Bynum through free company. Metellus may slide into that spot, or longtime backup Theo Jackson may work there with Metellus sustaining his hybrid position.
“I do know Josh has been very a lot trying foward to coaching camp, getting going,” coach Kevin O'Connell mentioned. “He is one in every of our captains, one in every of our leaders, and even all through the spring, was integral in how [defensive coordinator Brian Flores] and the defensive group are taking a look at 2025.”
