Minnesota Vikings OTAs Were Notably Intense; *Most* Absences Due to Prior Injuries

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Christian Darrisaw - Minnesota Vikings OTAs
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Vikings held their first round of full-team offseason workouts this week, where turnout was incredible. Harrison Smith was present, as was Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and, of course, redshirt rookie QB1 JJ McCarthy.

Not only were most of the Vikings key veterans in attendance for voluntary OTAs, but according to Darren Wolfson (KSTP) during his latest scoop session on SKOR North, the practices this week in Eagan were notably intense.

Minnesota Vikings OTAs were notably intense this week

Not only did the longtime local reporter (who has attended hundreds of Vikings practices) notice the pumped up competitiveness, though. New CB Jeff Okudah, who previously played for the Dan Campbell-led Lions, expressed his surprise with how intense the 7-vs-7 practice sessions were too.

“I thought it was a pretty spirited practice, for OTA session number two. You know, just the competitive nature of it. I had a nice chat with Jeff Okudah after practice. He noted that and so I just thought that was pretty interesting for late in May. I did not expect to see some of the stuff we saw on Wednesday. You know, seven on seven and all that, just how spirited it was, how competitive it was. I did not expect to see that for May 28th.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)

If you are a Minnesota Vikings fan reading this article or watching that scoop session, you have to be excited about how this first week of offseason workouts went. For all of the team’s stars to show up ready to work and improve on what was an incredible 2024 season, it’s clear O’Connell & Co. are already locked in and hungry for more success.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Wins Another Award

You know 100% that, not only are other teams missing a lot of big names on their OTA attendance sheet, but it’s highly unlikely others are coming in this focused and determined to get better. That’s a really good sign, especially for a Vikings team that sportsbooks and most pundits are picking to be a middling NFC squad in 2025.

Most Minnesota Vikings OTA absences due to injury

Of course, not every key Minnesota Vikings player for 2025 was on the TCO Performance Center practice fields this week. Most notably, Christian Darrisaw was missing at left tackle (replaced by Justin Skule) and Will Fries was replaced by Blake Brandel at right guard.

Of course, both Darrisaw and Fries are recovering from major leg injuries. The former went out in week 11 of last season with a major knee injury that required surgery. The latter broke his leg. According to what Kevin O’Connell told reporters in his presser, Fries isn’t expected to practice until training camp.

Fries, their top external signing in March, may not practice fully until training camp, O’Connell said, or nearly 10 months after sustaining a broken tibia on Oct. 6. The Vikings’ top nine blockers may be set if they’re content with Rouse, a 2024 sixth-round pick, as a hybrid tackle/guard. Skule, the 28-year-old former 49er and Buccaneer, replaces David Quessenberry as the backup tackle. Jurgens, a 2024 seventh-round pick, is the backup center.

Ben Goessling (Star Tribune)

Meanwhile, Darrisaw was working out with cleats on the sideline this week. The Minnesota Vikings hope he is ready to return for the start of the regular season. It’s also worth mentioning the RG/LG alignment.

Related: MN Vikings Insider Unable to Dig Up Any Dirt on JJ McCarthy

With Fries out, Brandel slid over to right guard, while 1st round rookie, Donovan Jackson worked with the first team at left guard, where he is supposed to be competing with Brandel as a starter. Does that mean Jackson can be written in to start week one?

No, but it is worth monitoring how many snaps Brandel gets on the left side, while Fries continues his rehab. The other injury absence was Rondale Moore, who continues his rehab from a torn ACL. Not only is he expected to compete for the WR3 job, if healthy, but he could be a factor in the return game too.

Where in the world is Isaiah Rodgers…?

The only non-injury OTA absence that was mentioned by reporters who were in Eagan this week was new CB Isaiah Rodgers. In his absence, the aforementioned Okudah and second-year 2024 undrafted free agent signee Dwight McGlothern got reps with the first team defense. Mechi Blackmon got some run too.

Coaches were getting long looks at Okudah, the former Lions top pick on his fourth NFL team, and McGlothern, last year’s undrafted darling, with the first-team defense on Wednesday. Blackmon appeared to be getting some work, too, as he’s 10 months removed from a torn ACL. Rodgers, the ex-Eagles reserve who got a two-year deal to play a bigger role in Minnesota, was not seen at practice.

Ben Goessling (Star Tribune)

It is important to remember that these workouts are “voluntary” and we do not know why the newly signed corner was not in attendance. Nonetheless, it’s news worth mentioning.

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