>>>ALL THINGS VIKINGS<<<

Vikings offensive line coach Rick Dennison is not leaving the team, contrary to a Friday report that he was out.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Vikings and Dennison have reached an agreement that allows him to remain in Minnesota.

The agreement is more like an acknowledgement that team and coach will comply with the applicable COVID protocols as determined by the NFL, whether Dennison is vaccinated or not. Those protocols likely will limit Dennison’s ability to directly interact with players, if he chooses not to get the vaccine.

Dennison previously had requested an exemption from vaccination. The Vikings had not yet responded to the request before ESPN reported on Friday that Dennison would no longer be working for the team. As one source explained it to PFT, the report traces to a member of the coaching staff who simply gave the reporter bad (or at best premature) information.

 

Vikings receiver Bisi Johnson tore an anterior cruciate ligament during Friday’s practice, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports.

Johnson was injured during one-on-one drills. He was evaluated by trainers before heading to the training camp to be examined. He later emerged with a large brace on his right leg.

The Vikings made Johnson a seventh-round choice in 2019. He has 45 catches for 483 yards and three touchdowns, having appeared in all 32 possible games with nine starts.

Bisi’s third season, though, is over before it has begun.

The team recently signed Dede Westbrook. They also have K.J. Osborn, Chad Beebe, fifth-round choice Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Blake Proehl, Whop Philyor, Dan Chisena and Myron Mitchell behind stars Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.

PFT

 

Mike Zimmer: I’m frustrated by everyone who is unvaccinated



For anyone wondering how the NFL has created a competitive advantage for teams with a high vaccination rate and for vaccinated players, the Vikings have provided the example.

Vikings rookie quarterback Kellen Mond tested positive for COVID-19, sidelining starter Kirk Cousins and backup Nate Stanley as high-risk close contacts, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports. That has left Jake Browning as the team’s only quarterback available to practice tonight.

“Something like this happens the day before a game with a chance to get into the playoffs?” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer wondered aloud, via Chris Long of KSTP TV.

Zimmer did not try to hide his frustration with unvaccinated players, though he declined to talk about specific names in regard to Saturday’s developments.

“Quite honestly, after everything we went through last year, I’m not surprised one bit,” Zimmer said, via Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune. “I am disappointed that this happened. I’m frustrated, not just with my football players who didn’t get vaccinated, but I’m frustrated with everybody [who didn’t].”

High-risk close contacts must isolate five days. Fully vaccinated players do not need to isolate after exposure. Browning is vaccinated.

“He’s out there. He’s available,” Zimmer said of Browning, via the team’s official Twitter account. “That’s important. It’s important to be available in a team sport.”

Zimmer said the Vikings will consider quarantining a quarterback in the future. The Broncos, of course, played a game without a quarterback last season because of COVID-19 protocols, leaving practice squad receiver Kendall Hinton to start at quarterback.

“This Delta variant is tough, and you can see the cases going up,” Zimmer said. “For the sake of everybody, it’s important, but some don’t see it that way.”

Zimmer said he never considered calling off tonight’s practice despite having only one quarterback available. He would not say how many other players are out because of COVID-19 contact tracing.

PFT

 

Vikings also working out quarterback Jackson Erdmann on Monday

The Vikings are desperate. With three quarterbacks on the COVID-19 reserve list, the team is in need of arms this week.

Kellen Mond tested positive for COVID-19, and Kirk Cousins and Nate Stanley were high-risk close contacts, requiring Cousins and Stanley to quarantine for at least five days. Jake Browning was the only quarterback at Saturday’s practice.

The Vikings will work out quarterbacks Case Cookus, which was reported earlier in the day, and Jackson Erdmann on Monday, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press reports.

The Vikings did not practice Saturday. They practice in pads for the first time Monday.

Erdmann went to St. John’s University, a D-III school, where he threw for 5,040 yards and 47 touchdowns in 2019. He went undrafted in 2020 and never has signed with an NFL team but did play in the Fan Controlled Football League.

Erdmann also worked out for the Vikings on July 24, throwing to Dede Westbrook. The Vikings signed Westbrook the following day.

PFT

 

The Vikings will begin their second week of training camp without the majority of their signal-callers due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Minnesota placed quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, Kellen Mond and Nate Stanley on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Monday. Rookie receiver Myron Mitchell has also been placed on the list.

The official designations of the trio of quarterbacks left the Vikings with just one experienced passer currently available for practice: Jake Browning. The former Washington Huskies quarterback is fully vaccinated, according to Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, who did not hide his displeasure with those who have chosen to decline vaccination.

"I am disappointed that this happened," Zimmer said Saturday. "I'm frustrated with not just my football players who won't get vaccinated, I'm frustrated with everybody."

Browning will see a significant increase in reps as long as the other three quarterbacks remain on the COVID-19 list. The Vikings are also planning on signing quarterback Case Cookus, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday.

Mond recently tested positive for COVID-19, and Cousins and Stanley are considered high-risk close contacts under the NFL and NFLPA's COVID-19 protocols, leading to their removal from activities Saturday.

High-risk close contacts are required to isolate upon learning of their previous contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, per protocol, and will remain isolated until PCR virus test results are negative. Fully vaccinated individuals are also tested daily for three days following exposure when considered a close contact, but are not considered to be high-risk, meaning they are not required to isolate.


"This Delta variant is tough and you can see the cases going up. For the sake of everybody it's important (to get vaccinated), but some don't see it that way," Zimmer said Saturday.

 

Cornerback Jeff Gladney is no longer a member of the Vikings.

The team announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have dropped Gladney from the roster. Gladney was indicted on a felony domestic violence charge in Texas earlier in the day. Gladney is accused of choking, punching and shoving a woman during an incident in April.

“Following our review of today’s indictment against Jeff Gladney, we have decided to release Jeff immediately,” the Vikings said in a statement. “As we have previously said, we take these matters very seriously and condemn all forms of domestic violence. Due to the ongoing legal nature of this matter, we are unable to provide further comment.”

Gladney was a first-round pick in 2020 and he will go through the waiver process, although the criminal charge will not make him an appealing prospect to other teams who might have had positive ratings on him when he was entering the league.

PFT

 

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson was diagnosed with a sprained AC joint, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports.

It is a sigh of relief for the team and for Jefferson.

Jefferson left Friday’s practice early after landing hard on his left shoulder as Bashaud Breeland, who was in coverage on Jefferson, landed on top of Jefferson.

Jefferson immediately grabbed at his left arm, writhing in pain on the ground.

He caught 88 passes for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie.

PFT

 

yeah I heard that also just hope the Justin Jefferson injury isn't bad,and what's going on with Capt Kirk I thought he was about the money? maybe it time for the Vikings to move on

 

I've been reading about Capt Kirk and his unvaccinated status this seems more about me than team no maybe about it time to move on and release or cut him the Vikings don't need this drama

 

Vikings add Warren Jackson to receiving corps



The Vikings brought in a new player to vie for space in the receiving corps on Monday.

The team announced the signing of Warren Jackson to their 90-man roster. There was no corresponding move needed to open space for Jackson.

Jackson played for Colorado State from 2017 to 2019, but opted out of playing for the school last year. He had 124 catches for 1,789 yards and 14 touchdowns while playing 28 games in his first three collegiate seasons.

The Vikings have been a bit banged up at wide receiver. Justin Jefferson has a sprained AC joint, Adam Thielen didn’t do team drills at Saturday’s practice, and Dede Westbrook is still ramping up after a torn ACL. The team also lost Bisi Johnson for the year to a torn ACL earlier in camp.

PFT

 

gee the Vikings are hurting big time at wr sounds like it's pure chaos who's going to be the Vikings qb?, I wonder can Mike Zimmer get this O-line fixed tired of the Rick and Mike BS how come other teams can get it together but the Vikings cannot no matter who they draft

 

I thing the WR's will be good to go come week 1... Have a little faith, lol.

 

Kellen Mond eligible to rejoin Vikings Tuesday if asymptomatic



Rookie quarterback Kellen Mond will be 10 days clear of his positive test for COVID-19 on Tuesday, which will allow him to rejoin the Minnesota Vikings for practice as long as he is asymptomatic, per Judd Zulgad of SkorNorth.com

It was Mond’s positive test that also sidelined starter Kirk Cousins and second-year quarterback Nate Stanley as they were deemed close contacts to Mond. Jake Browning, the only member of the group that was vaccinated, has remained eligible to take part in practices in their absences.

The Vikings claimed Danny Etling off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks when they found themselves with only one available quarterback last week. Mond’s impending return would potentially mean someone has to go from the group as carrying five quarterbacks on a roster is not a normal occurrence.

Mond had become sick from the infection, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said.

Darren Wolfson of KSTP added he’s heard Mond is doing well, so his return to practice should be coming soon if it’s not quite possible on Tuesday.

Mond was a third-round pick this spring by the Vikings out of Texas A&M.

YardBarker

 

4 Takeaways from Day 11 of Vikings Training Camp

The Minnesota Vikings took the day off Sunday after an eventful scrimmage on Saturday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. Fans piled in the facility, D.J. Wonnum scored a defensive touchdown, and a formal kicking competition commenced between Greg Joseph and rookie Riley Patterson.

Monday began a new week at training camp in Eagan as the team prepares for a preseason bout with the Denver Broncos this weekend.

Here are the four notable takeaways from Day 11 of the Vikings 2021 training camp.

1. Anthony Barr Returns
In the shadows of the COVID vaccine hullabaloo for the Vikings, Anthony Barr quietly missed time from practice. There was no true verdict as to his whereabouts or the why for his absence, but the Vikings ran operations sans Barr for a few days.


As of Monday, Barr is back.

The UCLA alumnus is a Zimmer favorite — his first pick as a head coach in the NFL draft all the way back in 2014. The digital stratosphere suggests something fishy was going on with Barr. That will likely never be known now as Barr returned to camp — and Zimmer downplayed the sabbatical.



“Don’t come to the stadium” is puzzling, generally indicating a disciplinary matter for a young player. Barr is not crazy young, and the discipline stuff is speculative.

Barr’s back. And according to Zimmer, it was no big deal.

2. D.J. Wonnum Get First-Team DE Action
It’s not quite a where you when? moment, but Wonnum taking first-team snaps is noteworthy. For the bulk of the offseason following the initial free agency period, onlookers of the Vikings wondered which player will play defensive end opposite Danielle Hunter.


The betting money is (or was?) on Stephen Weatherly, who spent four seasons in Minnesota before trekking to Carolina for a one-year adventure. Weatherly returned to the Vikings in March.

Now, though, the tide may be turning — in favor of D.J. Wonnum. The second-year EDGE rusher, most known for his game-ending sack on Aaron Rodgers last November, is making plays while being utilized as a hybrid standup linebacker and EDGE rusher. It’s a brave new world for Zimmer — delving into 3-4 waters. Wonnum even took a pick-six to the house off Jake Browning at the Saturday night scrimmage.

On Monday, his reward, so to speak, was starting reps with the first team.



When looking back at August in the rearview, this may be the beginning of Wonnum’s ascension to increased usage in the Vikings defense. We shall see.

3. Vikings Sign WR
Obsessive personalities following the Vikings were a bit surprised on Monday when the team signed Warren Jackson. He’s a Colorado State alumnus — the Vikings enjoy those — standing 6’6″ tall.



Nobody really knew that Minnesota was in the market for another pass-catcher because Dede Westbrook was considered the missing link when he was signed a couple of weeks ago. Then, the other Colorado State product, Bisi Johnson, was lost for the season around the same time that Kirk Cousins was held out of team activities. The Johnson news flew under the radar, trimming the WR count on the Vikings roster by one notable name. Evidently, the Vikings needed one more wide receiver.

That’s Jackson. His odds of making the 53-man roster are a longshot, but Zimmer and friends are giving him a look. Collin Johnson of the Jacksonville Jaguars was the tallest wide receiver in the league last season, towering at 6’6″ like Jackson. If the new Viking makes the team, he’s instantly one of the NFL’s tallest wide receivers.

4. Cousins Getting Groove Back
The media temperature has lowered since Cousins’ press conference last week. The Vikings quarterback doubled down on a commitment to increased distancing measures while seemingly declining any notion of getting the COVID vaccine. As a matter of personal preference, that is totally up to him.

His performance will dictate the long-term fallout of his decision. If he lights it up in 2021, folks will forget about his vaccine beliefs. Should he struggle and the Vikings lose ballgames, scrutiny toward Cousins — for everything — will be relentless. We’ve seen it before.

As for training camp on Monday, Cousins was on-point, delivering dazzling throws and empowering his receivers to score.



The Vikings need that version of Cousins now through February.

YardBarker/Vikings Territory

 

I just wonder about Capt Kirk if he feel the way he does, can he be an effective qb for the NFL or for the Vikings if he's always worrying about another player is vaccinated or unvaccinated

 

The Vikings finally have a full quarterback room again.

Kellen Mond, the rookie quarterback who tested positive for COVID-19 on August 1, was activated from the list today.

When Mond tested positive he was required to isolate from the team for 10 days, and two other quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins and Nate Stanley, were required to isolate for five days because they are not vaccinated and had close contact with Mond. That has resulted in a great deal of scrutiny on the Vikings and why so many of their players, particularly Cousins, are refusing to get the safe and effective vaccine that would have allowed them to practice.

Jake Browning, the only Vikings quarterback who was vaccinated, was their primary quarterback while the other three were out, and a couple of other quarterbacks had brief stays to throw passes.

Cousins appears to be adamantly anti-vaccine. It’s unclear whether Mond and Stanley will do the responsible thing and get vaccinated.

PFT

 

well it's looking like you just flushed your football career down the toilet being adamantly anti-vaccine oh well you made lots of money

 

He better live in a parabolic chamber and not get sick during the season or I'll really really be upset, lol.

He (Cousins) has his reasons/rights, but i'll be dammed if he gets sick and puts the Vikings season in jeopardy.

*Hope Mond turns out to be another Patrick Mahomes or some such freak of nature.

 

me too I would luv for Mond to turn out be Patrick Mahomes lite cause there's only one Patrick Mahomes that guy is awesome