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Lots of news from the first practice of training camp, but most of it related to injuries and suspended guys. Let’s see if we can’t make sense of it all.
We told you earlier about the guys placed on the PUP and NFI lists as camp opened. Per head coach Mike Zimmer, Hughes had a ‘multi-ligament’ injury. If that was mentioned before today, I don’t remember seeing it. I would expect Hughes to be out for awhile, although Zim did say he’s ahead of schedule, so take that for what it’s worth:
#Vikings coach Mike Zimmer: "Mike Hughes has a multi-ligament injury, so we're going to take that as we get going. He's ahead of schedule. He's doing great. So we'll just have to see where it goes.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 26, 2019
Tashawn Bower suffered a torn Achilles, and I would expect him to be placed in IR and waived with an injury settlement. Although Mike Zimmer thinks he could still play this year, though, so, you know, let’s go with the head coach on this one:
#Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said DE Tashawn Bower isn't necessarily out for the season with torn Achilles. "He could play.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 26, 2019
If he does, obviously he’ll be placed on IR-eligible to return, which would mean he’s out the first eight weeks of the season.
Good news on the Shamar Stephen front, though. Just ‘a few days’, lol:
#Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on Shamar Stephen injury: "Shamar is basically nothing. ... Shamar's not going to be out long.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 26, 2019
Cue John Sullivan back spasms flashbacks!
Mike Zimmer is NOT happy with Holton Hill’s antics:
Mike Zimmer clearly not happy with Hilton Hill after the CB’s latest suspension. Zimmer said, “Disappointed is not a good word for me,” then when asked about serving that suspension, Zimmer said he’s not sure Hill will make the team.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) July 26, 2019
For positional battles, it looks like Chad Beebe was WR3 to kick things off, but there was a surprise mixed in at WR, too:
Chad Beebe lining up some with the first team at walkthrough. He is the early favorite to be Vikings No. 3 receiver
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 26, 2019
Vikings TE Tyler Conklin doing some lining up wide at walkthrough
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 26, 2019
And finally, the starting five offensive line was as expected:
Cousins and his starting 5: Reiff, Elflein, Bradbury, Kline, O’Neill (who must have forgotten hit hat inside or is trying to be an individual) pic.twitter.com/m8mLr97R1v
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 26, 2019