https://www.vikings.com/news/2026-training-camp-observations-jeshaun-jones-chuck-demmings

Training Camp Observations: Jeshaun Jones & Chuck Demmings Stack Another Strong Day

EAGAN, Minn. — A week from now, the Vikings will be returning home.

That qualifies as the world's most pleasant wake-up call — that the 2026 preseason begins at the Giants in fewer than 168 hours. In other words, we're in the thick of training camp and games are nearly back.

Minnesota continued preparations Saturday at TCO Performance Center in front of fans and a couple of icons: recently retired hometown hero Adam Thielen and Pro Football Hall of Famer Alan Page, who turned 81 Friday.

With a nice sunny backdrop and a temperature in the low 80s, competing quarterbacks Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy split work with the first team offense, and Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer also were involved with the backups. The team wore helmets and shells one day after a fully padded practice, and there was some time spent reviewing concepts and dropping the intensity before Sunday night's practice at TCO Stadium.

Two plays drew especially loud oohs and aahs from the onlooking crowds in the stands and tents. First, during a period featuring the third offense and third defense, rookie runner Demond Claiborne took a handoff and performed a jump cut at the point of attack. Then, the Wake Forest product planted his foot in the ground and got vertical with a velocity that made the defense look like it was at a standstill. No one got hands on Claiborne as he hit the NOS button and exploded for a 60-yard touchdown.

Later, in a competitive team period, Murray flicked a pretty back-shoulder pass up the right sideline to veteran free-agent addition Jauan Jennings. It was a bang-bang play — the throw looked money — but Jennings must not have tapped both feet in bounds because visiting NFL referees signaled it incomplete.

Beyond that dash and near splash, here are three observations from Training Camp practice No. 9:

1. Having a day (and camp)

Jeshaun Jones emphatically stamped a low-red zone 7-on-7 period Saturday, but if you've been watching, it's not all that shocking. That's because the 2024 undrafted receiver is appearing to blossom well before autumn.

McCarthy targeted Jones on three consecutive plays and made the latter two count after the first was a smidge high and out of reach in the back of the end zone. Making up for it, McCarthy found Jones for an easy TD to the right and then pressed rewind and went back, successfully this time, deep into the paint.

That third throw required Jones to make a great, strong-handed catch.

Later in the same period, Murray synced with Jones for six when the 6-foot-1, 188-pounder lowered his body to the ground to make a nifty grab. They showed chemistry during the final practice period, too.

2. All about the details

The tempo slowed down dramatically in the second-to-last period when the offense and defense separated and walked through plays (and audibles) and discussed the details of certain schematics.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell used a portion of this time to get into the minutiae of routes with several players. Earlier in practice, O'Connell and former receiver Trishton Jackson, who is part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, threw routes on air to the wideouts before QBs joined.

The review period was a good way to save players' legs before concluding practice with an emphasis on second and third downs.

3. Child's Play: Chucky D Strikes Again

The rookie cornerback from Stephen F. Austin isn't just blessing us with daily words of wisdom.

He's breaking up passes and is showing up in the right spots time and again.

On Saturday, Demmings haunted Tai Felton on an intermediate-level target, flying in with force to deflect a ball tossed by McCarthy into the air; a teammate had a shot, albeit it was a long one, at intercepting it.

Demmings wasn't done, though.

He gave the offense a second jump scare during the condensed 7-on-7 period, denying a pass to the end zone intended for second-year tight end Bryson Nesbit. Murray threw it quickly … Chucky D was quicker.

At this rate, Demmings is going to be a must-watch player in the Vikings exhibition opener.