Vikings Practice Report: Eight Players Absent After Positive Tests
On Sunday morning, Mike Zimmer announced that the Vikings had 12 presumptive positive COVID-19 tests, including eight players and one coach. The positive tests are believed to be part of an issue with a New Jersey lab that caused an outbreak of false positives with numerous teams across the NFL.
The Vikings moved practice indoors on Sunday due to extreme heat, meaning only one pool reporter (who has gone through testing protocols) was allowed access as a representative for the media. That reporter is ESPN's Courtney Cronin, who shared her pool report after the conclusion of the 108-minute session.
The eight players absent from practice due to positive tests are as follows: WR Dillon Mitchell, WR Alexander Hollins, FB C.J. Ham, LB Eric Kendricks, OL Ezra Cleveland, DE Kenny Willekes, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, and DE Jalyn Holmes. The coach who missed practice was assistant special teams coach Ryan Ficken.
Danielle Hunter was present but did not participate for the seventh straight practice. Also present but not participating was linebacker Anthony Barr. Cornerback Kris Boyd returned to practice after missing Friday's outdoor session.
The eight absences caused the Vikings to have to adjust their personnel. With Holmes out and Hunter still not practicing, Eddie Yarbrough stepped up as the left defensive end with the first-team defense, with Anthony Zettel moving up to the second team. It's notable that Yarbrough is ahead of Zettel on the depth chart at the moment.
The Vikings were down both of their top two linebackers in Kendricks and Barr. The two first-team linebackers in nickel defense were Eric Wilson and rookie Troy Dye. When the team went to its base 4-3 defense, undrafted rookies Jordan Fehr and Blake Lynch split those first-team snaps as the third LB.
On the offensive side, Cleveland's absence meant the team was without its second-team left guard. Dakota Dozier and Aviante Collins continued splitting first-team reps like they have been throughout camp, but instead of the other sliding down to the third team when not with the starters, that person worked with the second unit. Rookie fullback Jake Bargas got to work with the starting offense in Ham's absence.
To finish practice, the Vikings simulated the final ten minutes of a fourth quarter, including a game clock and crowd noise. The starting offense got two drives against the starting defense, both of which ended in Dan Bailey field goals (he went 2-for-2, including a 53-yarder, and still has yet to miss on 12 attempts in training camp). Rookie receiver Justin Jefferson took reps with the starting offense during that simulated period.
On special teams, Chad Beebe worked as the team's punt returner, with Ameer Abdullah at kick returner.
With similar 90-degree temperatures expected for Monday and Tuesday, it'll be interesting to see if the Vikings return to outdoor practices (which would allow me to attend again) or if they stay inside TCO Performance Center.
They have a scheduled off day Wednesday, practice Thursday, and are set to play a full half at U.S. Bank Stadium on Friday.
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