The Baltimore Ravens are Eagan for two joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings ahead of Saturday's preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium between the two teams.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell says there's plenty he'll be watching as he works to trim the roster to 53 players within the next two weeks.
"There's still a lot to evaluate in preseason games, but normally it is guys ability, technique, fundamentals, throwing, catching, cover, and tackle, and not so much how they have to handle the football 501 that can go into a regular season NFL game," O'Connell explains.
Kickoff is at noon Saturday in the second of two preseason games for the Vikings who won last Saturday in New York 13-10 over the Giants.
O'Connell says rookies looking for a roster spot need to focus on playing at a high level between the whistles and not much else, thus his favorite analogy involving rottweilers and chihuahuas. He has made it clear he has no time for fighting and brawling during those practices.
"If you've ever walked by a rottweiler sitting on the front porch, doesn't have to say a whole lot," O'Connell explains. "But, if it needs to, it can do a whole lot. And then the vice versa, the chihuahua that's barking at you from their side of the fence the entire walk by. How intimidating is that?"
Rookie analogies aside, it's another chance for the Vikings to evaluate the key position, quarterback. Now that new QB Kyler Murray has been inserted into the starting lineup, and is unlikely to play Saturday, the talk this week has been about who the backup will be. 2024 first round pick J.J. McCarthy has continued to struggle, and veteran Carson Wentz is still waiting in the wings.
In his press conference Wednesday, O’Connell made clear that McCarthy is still the Vikings number two QB. But he said he wants the room to remain competitive and did not rule out further consideration.
"He has taken all the two reps in practice," he explained.
Jamal Adams will have season-ending surgery for torn quadriceps tendon
Vikings safety/linebacker Jamal Adams was placed on injured reserve Monday, two days after leaving a preseason game on a cart with what was later diagnosed as a torn tendon in his right quadriceps.
O'Connell told reporters before practice on Tuesday that Adams will have surgery and stay in Minnesota for his rehabilitation so he can serve as a mentor to the younger players.
Adams, the sixth overall pick in the 2017 draft, made three Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro in 2019 with the New York Jets. He has been an excellent blitzer who set the NFL season record for sacks by a defensive back (9½) in 2020 after being traded to the Seattle Seahawks. Injuries have derailed him since then, with Minnesota becoming his fifth team in four years. Adams tore his left quadriceps in the 2022 season opener.
Adams, who transitioned to linebacker in a part-time role last year with the Las Vegas Raiders, has 55 tackles for loss, 22½ sacks, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and four interceptions in his career. He'd made a strong impact on the Vikings in the two-plus weeks he'd been with the team. The 30-year-old Adams was injured in his first exhibition game after signing just before the start of training camp.
“He’s a Minnesota Viking now, and we want to make sure that he knows how important he’ll be to our players and team,” O'Connell said.
The Vikings signed cornerback Bryce Phillips, who originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Kansas City following this year's draft. His brother, Clark Phillips III, plays cornerback for Atlanta after starring collegiately at Utah.
The Viking head coach confirmed QB J.J. McCarthy is still the main backup for Kyler Murray
The Viking head coach confirmed QB J.J. McCarthy is still the main backup for Kyler Murray
