Vikings-Titans Joint Practice Recap, Day 2: Tempers Flare, Red Zone the Focus
Day 2 of Vikings-Titans joint practice at TCO Performance Center in Eagan featured a bit more intensity and bit more action than Day 1.
Tennessee defensive tackle Teair Tart threw a punch at Garrett Bradbury early in 11-on-11 action and got kicked out for the rest of the afternoon. Towards the end of the practice, Andrew Booth Jr. picked off Malik Willis to end a situational period and immediately rifled the ball over the Titans' sideline in frustrated celebration. There were no full-on fights, but the chirping was plentiful from both sides.
The focus of the day was on the red zone. There were two lengthy red zone periods where each team's offense and defense went at it simultaneously on two adjacent fields — a 7-on-7 period and then a full 11-on-11 portion. That led to some highlights. The teams again did some move-the-ball situational drives later on.
Attendance-wise, there were no notable changes for the Vikings, who were again without Jordan Addison, Brian O'Neill, T.J. Hockenson, Brian Asamoah, Jalen Nailor, and Kene Nwangwu. Cornerbacks Mekhi Blackmon and Akayleb Evans left practice.
Let's get to some observations.
Red zone highlights
Practice started with 1-on-1s (I watched the receivers and DBs, not O-line vs. D-line) and some 2-on-2 drills before getting into 7s and 11s, all of which took place in the red zone.
A stellar one-handed catch by Trishton Jackson was the highlight of 1-on-1s for the Vikings. He later added a toe-tapping sideline touchdown catch in 7s. Jackson continues to push to make the 53-man roster after surviving an injury scare earlier in training camp, and with Jalen Nailor continuing to miss time, I think he has a great shot to make it.
As always, Justin Jefferson put on a show. He had some good battles with former LSU teammate Kristian Fulton and won most of them, although Fulton held up admirably. Watch this route from Jefferson, working alongside UDFA Thayer Thomas:
Jefferson also made a smooth grab between two defenders in the back of the end zone during 7s, which Kirk Cousins rifled into a small window. To Fulton's credit, he made a spectacular interception while covering tight end Josh Oliver at one point.
Defensively, Jordan Hicks stood out for the Vikings with multiple pass breakups. Joejuan Williams and Booth also had PBUs.
Danielle Hunter flexes his muscles
Hunter is back to full participation after missing the first chunk of training camp, and the three-time Pro Bowler showed on Thursday why it was so important that the Vikings worked out a deal to keep him around this year.
Hunter had at least three sacks against Ryan Tannehill during full-team periods in this practice. His combination of burst and power makes him extremely tough to handle, especially because he has a variety of moves he can use to set tackles up and get by them.
If Hunter can stay healthy this season, he could be in line for a big year in Brian Flores' defense. With Marcus Davenport, D.J. Wonnum, and Patrick Jones II also showing flashes in camp, the Vikings seem to have a solid outside linebacker group.
Vikings' offenses bounces back in situational period
On Wednesday, the Vikings' first and second units on offense ran a total of four plays. Both of their two-minute drill attempts ended with an interception on the second snap.
Thursday went much better. The situation was this: Offense trailing 27-21 with the ball at the opponents' 45 and one minute on the clock. The Vikings' first-team offense needed just four plays to score a touchdown. Cousins hit K.J. Osborn three times, including a short TD pass, and Jefferson once. It was easy and methodical.
The Titans responded with a touchdown of their own, with Tannehill escaping the pocket and hitting TE Chig Okonkwo for a score.
The Vikings' second-team offense got off to a nice start with Brandon Powell making a diving catch for a 15-yard gain. A defensive personal foul penalty on fourth down extended the drive, and Mullens eventually hit Jackson for a touchdown.
The Titans' second-team offense came up short when Willis had to force a ball into the end zone and Booth broke off his man to make the interception. Throwing the ball in the direction of the Tennessee sideline probably wasn't the smartest move, though.
Other notes
- Christian Darrisaw had one of the Vikings' biggest highlight plays when he blew up Arden Key's spin attempt on pass rush. Darrisaw looks primed for another dominant season.
- Can N'Keal Harry fit into the Vikings' loaded wide receiver room somehow? He used his size to make a couple impressive contested catches in the red zone, but he also had an unfortunate drop.
- Rookie sensation Ivan Pace Jr. had his daily standout play with a diving pass breakup near the sideline while covering a tight end.
- The Vikings' interior offensive line is still a concern, but it's worth noting that Jeffery Simmons and the Titans' interior DL are very good.
- K.J. Osborn remains the Vikings' WR2 for now, especially with Addison missing a little time in concussion protocol. Osborn just shows up every single day and makes catch after catch. Cousins and O'Connell trust him.
- Jalen Reagor couldn't quite come up with a deep bomb from Cousins. It would've been a great catch, but it feels like Reagor needs to make plays like that. He could be the odd one out in the WR room.
- Before getting banged up late in practice, Evans had a pass breakup against DeAndre Hopkins.
The Vikings and Titans play a preseason game at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday night.
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