https://www.vikings.com/news/2026-training-camp-observations-linemen-justin-jefferson

Vikings Training Camp Observations: Linemen Toe-to-Toe; Justin Jefferson Makes Contested Catch

EAGAN, Minn. — Fans, full pads and familiar faces descended on TCO Performance Center on Wednesday afternoon for the seventh practice – and longest so far – of 2026 Vikings Training Camp.

A handful of Vikings Legends, including franchise-leading tackler Scott Studwell and former Head Coach Brad Childress, as well as recently retired fullback C.J. Ham, roamed the sidelines as players sweated for approximately 2.5 hours under a blue sky dotted with clouds and warm but not overbearing sunshine.

Wide receiver Jordan Addison did not participate in team drills due to a thumb injury that Head Coach Kevin O'Connell told media about before the session, but he remained very active and ran routes on air.

Here are three observations from a day that also featured level quarterback play between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy, ample rushes and catches for rookie Demond Claiborne, and another couple of pass breakups by camp darling Chuck Demmings, who keeps outplaying his draft Day 3 and FCS beginnings.

1. Technical warfare

Playing on the oft-used trench battles analogy, offensive and defensive linemen competed hard, again, in 1-on-1 pass rush drills early in practice. They started mano a mano and finished with twists and stunts.

Christian Darrisaw and Dallas Turner set the tone and traded blows out of the gate. On their initial rep, Darrisaw locked up a bull rush by the third-year OLB; Turner got him right back, winning with speed.

Defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez, who turned 26 Tuesday, took home the make-believe Best Move Award with a silky spin move past center Blake Brandel that landed him smack dab in the lap of an assistant coach acting as QB.

Second-year DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and guard Will Fries went back and forth, just like CD and DT, with the former executing a nice push-pull rush, and then the latter resetting his feet to win take No. 2.

The strongest two-rep sequence belonged to 2025 UDFA Joe Huber, who shut down back-to-back rushes by 2026 first-round pick Caleb Banks. Huber sat down in his seat and cranked his feet on both occasions.

Toward the end of the drill, Jalen Redmond and Turner stunted left down the line to squeeze past guard Donovan Jackson and Darrisaw and reach the QB in a timely manner. Earlier, Jackson outlasted Redmond twice.

2. Time's a trickling

Murray and McCarthy each started and ended their days playing well.

In 1-on-1s, they took turns completing four consecutive passes. And in respective 2-minute drills to conclude practice, they orchestrated scoring drives — Murray with the first offense, McCarthy with the second.

Trailing 21-20 and at 1:10, Murray kickstarted a drive from the minus-35 with darts to the left and right to T.J. Hockenson, then Justin Jefferson. The "Jets" catch gained a first down and stopped the clock with 59 seconds. Murray scrambled out of bounds with 52 ticks to go on the next snap as he was pursued by Turner, and then he got some classic superstar help — guess who! — on a deep pass into double coverage.

Outjumping Theo Jackson and Isaiah Rodgers, Jefferson snatched Murray's throw, shed the defenders and proceeded to cruise into the end zone. It was reminiscent of a handful of catches he's made before.

McCarthy followed suit by leading a field goal drive (there was no kick, but it was shoo-in territory for Reichard) that began with a defensive penalty on an incomplete pass. Taking advantage of the stopped clock and free yardage, the offense called a draw to Zavier Scott, who gained just a couple, and then the running back gathered a checkdown and bolted for a first down. Afterward, McCarthy tried to flick one into a tight window to Gavin Bartholomew, but it was denied. He responded, though, with a sizable gain via a pass over the middle to Dontae Fleming. Then, the offense drained the clock and called a timeout.

The period capped noticeably good practices for both quarterbacks.

3. Simulated returns

Fans are likely champing at the bit to see kicker Will Reichard do his thing.

The First-Team All-Pro hasn't shown off his range for fans yet, but it's inevitable he will soon.

Instead, Wednesday's practice offered an extended look at four different punt returners and a range of guys vying for key roles on the punting unit as gunners and coverage players tucked closer to the center.

Incumbent third-phase ace Myles Price took his spot as a returner, and so did Claiborne, and receivers Fleming and Trayvon Rudolph; the latter is an undrafted rookie who signed with the club in early June.

Each showed a likable skill set fielding balls shot out of a JUGS machine (long snapper Andrew DePaola simulated the snap and his blocking steps) and Claiborne flashed some pep in his step that was notable.

A gunner rep on the perimeter courtesy Zemaiah Vaughn, who was tasked with splitting and sprinting by a double team, drew praise from coaches. Jeshaun Jones was recognized for his competitiveness, as well.

Special teams roles for Vaughn and Jones are particularly important as young, undrafted players who spent last season on the practice squad but have repeatedly made plays in camp. Jones had one of his louder days with a plethora of catches.