As we inch closer and closer to the Vikings’ first preseason game against the New York Giants (August 15), players are easing into the physicality that’s required to survive a full 17-game-season. Starting on Monday, August 3rd, this will be even more evident as the Vikings hold their first padded practice. With pads comes a higher level of competition, so it’s a good time to look at a few things to watch for in the coming weeks.
Caleb Banks and the Other Rookies
One of the major storylines since the Vikings drafted Caleb Banks has been his injury history. He missed OTAs last month, but since training camp started, Banks has made a sizeable impression. He has reportedly mixed in with the first-team defense, which is a huge show of trust for Brian Flores. Jake Golday has also been making plays in practice, and it’ll be interesting to see if his productivity continues as the pads come on. Jakobe Thomas, Charles Demmings, and Demond Claiborne are a few more rookies worth watching as they each have potential to see some playing time this year.
Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy
Reports have already been flying around from the first few days of training camp about who will emerge victorious in the quarterback battle. By the sounds of it, Murray has a solid lead heading into Monday, but the padded practices will play a big role in determining who emerges victorious. This is also the phase where Kevin O’Connell will likely start to open up the offense, so it will be interesting to see how each quarterback handles the new concepts. Regardless of who wins, the loser will be playing in preseason games. It’s important that they get used to the physicality of NFL football before they face live defenses.
Player Health
When the pads come on, the risk of injuries skyrockets. The Vikings have already had a few players miss some time, with both James Pierre and Isaiah Rodgers leaving practices early. While the severity of their injuries isn’t yet known, it’ll be important to monitor the team for any potential injuries in the coming weeks. This team is in a win-now mode, and any setbacks could have devastating consequences for when the regular season starts.
