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The Vikings held a rare December padded practice on Wednesday — NFL teams are allowed just three padded practices in the final six weeks of the regular season — in preparation for Monday night’s rematch against the Chicago Bears.
Coach Kevin O’Connell held out a handful of starters, including cornerback Stephon Gilmore and edge rusher Pat Jones II, who were not at the portion of Wednesday’s session open to reporters. Gilmore (hamstring) and Jones (knee) missed Sunday’s win over the Falcons.
“We will see what they are able to do as we get toward Friday or Saturday, and just be smart about getting them out there if we can,” O’Connell said. “We’d love to have both guys. If not, we know we have guys that can step up.”
The Vikings also did not practice with edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, who has been on the injury report with a thigh issue. But Van Ginkel, who had his practice reps limited last week before playing a full game, said he was getting extra rest entering a lighter work day scheduled for players on Thursday. O’Connell chose to use one of the Vikings’ three late-season padded practices this week.
“With the extra day knowing that we can get some good physical work here,” O’Connell said, “and still have a good amount of time to turn these guys over and slow down the pace [Thursday]. Then, have two good full-speed days on Friday and Saturday.”
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Coach Kevin O’Connell held out a handful of starters, including cornerback Stephon Gilmore and edge rusher Pat Jones II, who were not at the portion of Wednesday’s session open to reporters. Gilmore (hamstring) and Jones (knee) missed Sunday’s win over the Falcons.
“We will see what they are able to do as we get toward Friday or Saturday, and just be smart about getting them out there if we can,” O’Connell said. “We’d love to have both guys. If not, we know we have guys that can step up.”
The Vikings also did not practice with edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, who has been on the injury report with a thigh issue. But Van Ginkel, who had his practice reps limited last week before playing a full game, said he was getting extra rest entering a lighter work day scheduled for players on Thursday. O’Connell chose to use one of the Vikings’ three late-season padded practices this week.
“With the extra day knowing that we can get some good physical work here,” O’Connell said, “and still have a good amount of time to turn these guys over and slow down the pace [Thursday]. Then, have two good full-speed days on Friday and Saturday.”
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