Wednesday’s practice at TCO Performance Center was the official end of training camp, the last workout before the last preseason game, set for 7 p.m. Friday against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
By all measures, it’s been a good camp for J.J. McCarthy, and the young quarterback went out with a bang, completing 26 of 33 passes — including a few highlight connections — in a roughly two-hour scrimmage under blue skies and a hot, late-August sun.
With the top offense and defense mostly playing against the second units — with many players subbing in and out of the latter — McCarthy was 7 for 7 with completions to four different receivers on the first drive, and completed three touchdown passes on a late red zone drill.
Confidence, McCarthy said, is “Extremely high. Highest it’s ever been.”
It was a good way to end camp for McCarthy who, despite missing all of last season because of a knee injury, will start the Sept. 8 opener at Chicago with just one preseason possession under his belt.
Most, if not all, starters will sit out Friday’s game as head coach Kevin O’Connell and his staff prepare to cut the roster to 53 active players before Tuesday’s 3 p.m. CDT deadline.
“I feel like just looking at the other guys, the coaching staff, that gives me all the confidence in the world,” McCarthy said. “They’ve got my back, and all of our backs. I get goosebumps right now just thinking about it.
“We put in the work, the rest is going to take care of itself. But the confidence, as a precursor to the work, it just makes me really excited.”
Here are more takeaways from the final day of training camp:
How is McCarthy?
Well, terrific. He was in control of the offense, hung tough in the pocket, and with the exception of one or two throws, hit receivers on the hands or the numbers. He did not throw an interception and hit a variety of receivers.
He mostly found Jordan Addison, who will miss the first three games because of an NFL suspension resulting from a DUI arrest last summer. But maybe his best play was a touchdown pass to Lucky Jackson on a red zone drill. He also found Thayer Thomas a few times at the tail end of his progression for gains over the middle.
His last connection — a long timing route to tight end Josh Oliver — was one of the best and, appropriately, the final play of the scrimmage.
Before practice, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was asked if anything about McCarthy’s camp has surprised him.
“Well, we drafted him,” he said. “We thought he was good.”
Who stood out?
— Those were all big catches for Jackson and Thomas, two young receivers trying to make the team, if only to fill Addison’s role early — particularly as the Vikings are reportedly looking at a possible free-agent addition.
— In a two-man battle to be the team’s punt returner, Silas Bolden won the day, catching everything sent his way by punter Ryan Wright while his competition, Myles Price, fielded punts from Oscar Chapman and dropped the first one before recovering it near his own end zone.
Asked before practice what the team was looking for from its kick and punt returners, special teams coach Matt Daniels said, “Tracking the ball, catching the ball and decision making. Probably ball security is going to be at a premium.”
— Left tackle Christian Darrisaw, returning from a knee injury that prematurely ended a strong season, played a lot of snaps Wednesday, a good sign with the season opener three weeks away.
Quote of the day
“In season, it’s kind of difficult; I feel like every time I close my eyes I’m going to fall asleep.” — Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, on practicing meditation
Injury report
— Tai Felton, hoping to catch on as a depth receiver and returner, appeared to injure his left hand early in Wednesday’s scrimmage and didn’t return. He left the field with a bandage on his left thumb.
— Linebacker Blake Cashman watched the scrimmage from the sidelines. Safety Harrison Smith also was absent.
What’s next?
After Friday’s 7 p.m. kickoff at Tennessee, the coaching staff has to trim down to an active roster of 53 players by 3 p.m. CDT on Tuesday.
J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings is tackled as he carries the ball in the second quarter of the preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 10, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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