Inside The Vikings

Vikings Training Camp Recap, Day 9: Danielle Hunter Ramps Up

Hunter participated in 1-on-1s at Saturday's practice, the next stage of his return to full action.

Will Ragatz

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The stands were packed on a beautiful Saturday afternoon for the Vikings' latest fully-padded training camp practice. Among the highlights were Danielle Hunter taking the next step towards a return to full participation, an acrobatic catch by Nick Muse, and a smooth toe-tapping grab by Jordan Addison near the sideline.

Brian O'Neill, Jalen Nailor, Trishton Jackson, Kene Nwangwu, and Andrew Booth Jr. remain out due to injury. T.J. Hockenson also didn't participate, while Garrett Bradbury left the field prior to team drills.

Returning to action were edge rushers Marcus Davenport and Andre Carter II, the latter of whom was activated off the PUP list earlier in the day. New running back Abram Smith made his debut, wearing No. 41.

Let's get to some observations.

Hunter ramps up

After missing all of OTAs and minicamp and the first week of training camp due to contract dissatisfaction, Hunter — who signed a reworked one-year deal last Sunday — is being eased back to full speed. Kevin O'Connell said the team came up with a two-week plan to get him back to total participation. On Saturday, Hunter took a step forward in that process by doing a few 1-on-1 drills. He still isn't playing in team periods yet, but that's not too far away.

On his first rep against Oli Udoh, Hunter offered a reminder of his ability by destroying the Vikings' backup right tackle with a quick spin move. Perhaps happy to be back at it, he then proceeded to jokingly sack whichever coach or staff member was serving as a the "QB" for the drill.

To Udoh's credit, he got Hunter back on the next rep by putting him on the ground with a strong block.

Other notes

  • With Hockenson not practicing, there were plenty of reps for tight ends Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, and even 2022 seventh-round pick Nick Muse. Muse caught a couple passes from Nick Mullens in team, including a highlight play where he bobbled the ball and caught it after falling to the ground. We should know more about Hockenson's status on Monday.
  • Rookie DB Jay Ward has had a somewhat quiet camp, but he had a nice pass breakup during 1-on-1s on Saturday.
  • Lewis Cine was in on a couple run stops in team, then briefly left the field with what looked like an upper-body injury. He was able to return to action, so it wasn't anything serious.
  • This was another solid day for D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones II. The Vikings' No. 3 and 4 OLBs have been visible in camp.
  • K.J. Osborn has gotten open deep down the middle of the field a bunch of times this camp, and it happened again on Saturday. He looks ready to make a bunch of plays from the slot this year.
  • Addison's toe-tapping sideline catch was another example of his sharp route-running and excellent body control. He continues to look the part.
  • Third-string center Josh Sokol pancaked Brian Asamoah on a run block at one point, which got Justin Jefferson hyped up from the sidelines. Asamoah later bounced back with a TFL — his downhill burst is remarkable.
  • Jefferson did his thing, as he does everyday, but give credit to Akayleb Evans for a nice pass breakup while covering No. 18 in 7s. Evans is solidified as the No. 2 cornerback on the depth chart.
  • Safety Theo Jackson had a pass breakup in 1-on-1s and another in 7s.
  • Carter, the undrafted rookie out of Army, looked quite raw in his first 1-on-1s of camp. He lost two reps in a row to tackle Jarrid Williams, who the Vikings signed a couple days ago.
  • I thought Mullens had maybe his best day of camp. He showed a strong rapport with several players, including Blake Proehl.
  • Brandon Powell continues to make plays. He beat Cam Bynum a couple times in 1-on-1s and added multiple catches in team. Powell might be the WR4 if Nailor misses too much time.
  • Rookie RB DeWayne McBride had a tough drop in team. That's the big thing to watch with him in the preseason, considering he had very little receiving production at UAB.
  • Ivan Pace Jr. got into the backfield for a potential TFL, then got a shoutout from Harrison Smith on NFL Network after practice.

That's all from Saturday. Due to weather in the forecast, the Vikings cancelled Sunday's scheduled practice and will conduct and indoor walk-through instead. They'll be back at it on Monday afternoon and Tuesday night before flying to Seattle for Thursday's preseason opener.

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Will Ragatz
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