4 take-out from day 11 of the Viking training camp

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The Minnesota Vikings took the day off Sunday after an eventful Saturday afternoon scrum at US Bank Stadium. Fans crowded into the facility, DJ Wonnum scored a defensive touchdown and an official kicking competition began between Greg Joseph and rookie Riley Patterson.

Monday started a new week at training camp in Eagan as the team prepares for a pre-fight with the Denver Broncos this weekend.

Here are the four takeaways from Day 11 of Vikings 2021 training camp.

1. The return of Anthony Barr

In the shadow of the hubbub of the COVID vaccine for the Vikings, Anthony Barr quietly missed the time for training. There was no real verdict as to his whereabouts or the Why for his absence, but the Vikings conducted operations without Barr for a few days.

Since Monday, Barr has been back.

The former UCLA student is a Zimmer favorite – his first pick as a head coach in the NFL Draft since 2014. The digital stratosphere suggests something fishy was going on with Barr. That will likely never be known by now, as Barr has returned to camp – and Zimmer has played down the sabbatical.

“Don’t come to the stadium” is puzzling, usually indicating a disciplinary case for a young player. Barr is not a young madman and the discipline is speculative.

Barr is back. And according to Zimmer, it was not serious.

2. DJ Wonnum gets the DE first team action

It’s not quite a where are you when moment, but Wonnum taking shots of the first team is remarkable. For much of the offseason following the initial free agency spell, Vikings spectators wondered which player would play the defensive end against Danielle Hunter.

The money for the bet goes (or was?) To Stephen Weatherly, who spent four seasons in Minnesota before hiking to Carolina on a year-long adventure. Weatherly returned to the Vikings in March.

Now, however, the tide could turn – in DJ Wonnum’s favor. The sophomore EDGE rusher, best known for his late-game sack against Aaron Rodgers last November, is making plays while being used as a hybrid linebacker and EDGE rusher. It’s a brave new world for Zimmer – diving into 3-4 waters. Wonnum even took a pick-six at Jake Browning’s house during Saturday night’s scrum.

Monday, his reward, so to speak, began the representatives with the first team.

When you look at the month of August in the rearview mirror, it may be the start of Wonnum’s ascent to increased use in Viking defense. We will see.

3. Vikings WR sign

The obsessive figures who follow the Vikings were a bit surprised on Monday when the team signed Warren Jackson. He’s a Colorado State alumnus – the Vikings like that – 6’6 “tall.

No one really knew Minnesota were on the hunt for another pass catcher because Dede Westbrook was seen as the missing link when he was signed a few weeks ago. Then Colorado State’s other product, Bisi Johnson, was lost for the season around the same time Kirk Cousins ​​was kicked out of the squad. Johnson’s news flew under the radar, reducing the number of WRs on the Viking roster by a notable name. Obviously, the Vikings needed a larger receiver.

It’s Jackson. His chances of making the 53-player roster are slim, but Zimmer and his friends are watching him. Collin Johnson of the Jacksonville Jaguars was the league’s tallest receiver last season, peaking at 6’6 ” as Jackson. If the new Viking makes the squad, he’s instantly one of the NFL’s greatest wide receivers.

4. The cousins ​​find their groove

Media temperatures have dropped since Cousins’ press conference last week. The Vikings quarterback has doubled down on his pledge to increase distancing measures while apparently refusing any idea of ​​getting the COVID vaccine. For a matter of personal preference, it is totally up to him.

His performance will dictate the long-term impact of his decision. If he turns it on in 2021, people will forget about his vaccine beliefs. If he struggles and the Vikings lose the ball games, the Cousins’ scrutiny – for everything – will be relentless. We have already seen it.

As for Monday’s training camp, Cousins ​​was on point, delivering dazzling shots and allowing his receivers to score.

The Vikings need this version of Cousins ​​until February.



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