By Jason Wisniewski
Team News
- Head Coach Mike Zimmer said he’s pleased with how Kirk Cousins is running the offense thus far. Also said he’s been impressed with Jayron Kearse’s progression from when he was a rookie to how he is playing now. Zimmer also mentioned that he has been putting Offensive Coordinator Kevin Stefanski though a variety of different game situations with the offense so that he can sharpen his play calling skills in situational football.
- QB Kirk Cousins said the team is trying to simulate a routine this week that will be most similar to what they will go through the regular season since this week is structured that way with the practice schedule. He also said he likes to use quick tempo with the offense to force opponents to slow down their pass rush and stay in vanilla defenses.
- Backup QB Kyle Sloter doesn’t think he’s a bad practice player but did not argue with Zimmer’s assessment that he needs to improve his game to become the 2nd strong QB on the depth chart.
Injury Report/Updates
- T/G Aviante Collins, DE Ade Aruna & WR Jeff Badet remained out. Safety Harrison Smith also missed practice today.
- RT Brian O’Neill worked in individual drills only.
- CB Mike Hughes & TE David Morgan remain on the PUP list.
- DE Tashawn Bower remains on the Non Football Injury List.
Practice Notes
1.) K/P Kaare Vedvik kicked again in practice today. He went 5 of 6 on FGs. His makes were from 33, 39, 44, 50 & 55. His only miss was from 45. Punter Matt Wile was the holder on all 6 attempts.
2.) With Harrison Smith missing practice today Jayron Kearse stepped in as the starting Free Safety and had a great practice. He recorded 2 sacks and also broke up a pass intended for Kyle Rudolph in the End Zone. He also downed a punt inside the 10 yard line on Special Teams as a Gunner.
3.) CB Mackensive Alexander & Strong Safety Anthony Harris also performed well at practice today. Alexander stopped RB Alexander Mattison for no gain on a swing pass and limited WR Bisi Johnson to a short gain on a WR screen. Harris meanwhile broke up a pass from Cousins intended for Bisi Johnson in the End Zone.
4.) WRs Stefon Diggs & Adam Thielen got a quick rest in a team period designed to give some playing time to Beebe, Johnson & Zylstra so that they could work with starting QB Kirk Cousins. Beebe caught 4 passes on the drive for 44 yards receiving and Zylstra had 2 catches for 14 yards with both of his catches moving the chains to pick up 1st downs.
Here are some Bonus Adam Thielen highlights the Vikings released on their twitter page since today is Thielen’s 29th birthday…Enjoy!
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