Defensively, Danielle Hunter did not practice. Neither does linebacker Ben Gedeon, who is currently active / physically unable to perform on the roster.
The Vikings are scheduled to hold Friday’s practice from the US Bank Stadium.
Here are three observations from Thursday’s session presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud Ophthalmology Partner of the Minnesota Vikings:
The young corner of the Vikings stepped into the whole camp, and a few did so again Thursday. Minnesota ended the practice with a team practice in the red zone, with the ball on the 20-yard line.
Mike Hughes was in cover over Kyle Rudolph and reached Kirk Cousins’ pass for the tight end on the first down.
Two games later, with the ball on the 21-yard line on third down, Holton Hill forced an imperfection while covering Bisi Johnson in the end zone. Johnson could not corral the pass after Hill got a hand on it, and the ball tumbled to the ground.
Hill also collaborated with Anthony Harris in solid coverage on a cast intended for Adam Thielen earlier in practice.
Hughes and Hill have all nine combined NFL starts by Vikings cornerbacks currently on the 80-man roster.
2. Slap in the locks
The Vikings were in plenty of pads on Thursday, and the best field battles happened at the line of scrimmage in 1-on-1 practice between offensive and defensive linemen.
Center Garrett Bradbury was solid as he won both of his reps against Shamar Stephen. (The defense pack rally for a probable bag on Cousins in the ensuing drill).
Judge Pat Elflein also did well, winning both of his reps against Hercules Mata’afa. Rashod Hill stood with two wins against rookie DJ Wonnum.
Defensively, Armon Watts got the best of Aviante Collins on both occasions.
The fights between Riley Reiff and Ifeadi Odenigbo, Dakota Dozier and Jaleel Johnson and Jalyn Holmes and Brian O’Neill were equal, and split reps between each matchup.
Johnson later stood in a team practice when he was awarded a tackle for loss to Dalvin Cook.
At the start of Verizon Vikings training camp, Vikings Special Teams coordinator Marwan Maalouf had more than half a dozen players working at point returns.
That group was paired in practice on Thursday with four, with Ameer Abdullah, Chad Beebe, Bisi Johnson and rookie KJ Osborn getting reps.
Maalouf threw a wrench at his players by turning their backs on the ball so they could only follow it after he was already in the air.
Minnesota then worked on point coverage in team practice, with Beebe and Johnson returning points. Abdullah and Osborn worked as gunners during the exercises alongside Alexander Hollins, Jeff Gladney, Tajaé Sharpe, Jeff Gladney, Tony Brooks-James and Dan Chisena.
