So much for an acclimation period.
Veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau officially signed with the Vikings on Wednesday morning, then stepped in and immediately started getting meaningful reps. He worked with the starters from time to time throughout practice on Wednesday afternoon at TCO Performance Center, proving that his time in the NFL has given him a good starting point with the Vikings.
Maybe the funniest part was watching Moreau walk up to defensive coordinator Brian Flores after practice, perhaps to formally introduce himself to the man calling the shots on that side of the ball.
Though the Vikings have already added several players to the secondary in training camp, Moreau might be the most likely to carve out a niche this season. He played in 16 games with the Denver Broncos last season, including 11 starts, and recorded 46 tackles with an interception.
After being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Moreau, 30, has spent time with the Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, New York Giants and the Broncos. In total, Moreau has played in 106 games, including 56 starts, which might explain why the Vikings appear to be looking at him as a viable option.
It’s worth following along throughout training camp to see if Moreau continues to get reps with the starters.
McCarthy continues to shine
There’s no doubt that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been impressive throughout training camp. He’s produced a number of highlights that have gone viral on social media, showcasing the arm talent that convinced the Vikings to select him with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
His best throw Wednesday afternoon was a perfectly placed ball along the sideline that evoked a massive roar from the fans in attendance. Instead of bailing from the pocket with pressure in his face, McCarthy kept his eyes downfield, then displayed a feathery touch as he found receiver Lucky Jackson on a corner route.
Though he’s still behind veteran quarterback Sam Darnold in the pecking order, McCarthy has managed to build more and more momentum every time he steps onto the field.
Tonyan carted off with injury
After a solid effort in training camp to this point, veteran tight end Robert Tonyan had to be carted off on Wednesday afternoon. Though it appeared to be serious when it happened, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, Tonyan exited with back spasms.
There is a pathway for Tonyan to earn himself some playing time this season, especially considering star tight end T.J. Hockenson is currently on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from a surgically repaired anterior cruciate ligament.
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