The first two days of Vikings training camp have been great and all, but the real fun starts with today’s afternoon practice when the players put the full pads on for the first time. Competitions in camp will now turn into battles and the coaching staff should get a better idea of what groups of players they feel can lead this team to success in 2016.

As was the case for the last two days, we will have the latest updates from the team’s practice as they happen live.

Enjoy!

2:35pm – The young Vikings wide receivers have usually been some of the first players to hit the practice field in the afternoon. That trend continued today.

Böhringer, Sinkfield, Treadwell, and Stoudermire have always been coming out early to get work in with George Stewart. Out again today. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

2:45pm – Practice is officially underway and some notable players look like they will not be participating in today’s padded activities. Adrian Peterson, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Mike Harris among the players not in pads this afternoon. Looks like the team is continuing to be cautious with Peterson. Interested to see how Jerick McKinnon plays in today’s practice with the absence of Peterson.

Mine Harris is out here, not in pads. Same with Ellison and Peterson. — Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) July 31, 2016

Cordarrelle also not in pads — Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) July 31, 2016

3:00pm – And the most awkward jersey of Vikings training camp goes to…

3:10pm – Adam Thielen getting some work in with the first team as a slot receiver. Wonder if this has anything to do with Patterson being injured? However, speaking in terms of 3-WR sets for the season, a combination of Charles Johnson and Laquon Treadwell on the outsides with Stefon Diggs on the inside could be a dangerous combination for this offense.

Thielen working some slot with the 1s. ? — Andy Carlson (@AndyCarlsonShow) July 31, 2016

3:15pm – Definitely seems like the intensity in the way the offensive line practices has stepped up this year. Much of that can be attributed to the Vikings new offensive line coach Tony Sparano. It would be quite a surprise if the team’s offensive line does not improve from a season ago.

Sparano right in the action for “the chutes” #VikingsCamppic.twitter.com/iQSXZqgJmS — Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) July 31, 2016

3:20pm – Speaking of new assistant coaches, Pat Shurmur was brought in to be Minnesota’s new tight ends coach this offseason. Being that he is a former head coach and offensive coordinator, will his role on the staff be limited to just the tight ends in 2016?

Tight ends are working on their route running with Shurmur. All of them look good. WR’s working on engaging for blocks. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

3:25pm – My pick for the Vikings illustrious ‘Mr. Mankato’ award, rookie tight end David Morgan has been turning heads with his receiving abilities. With Rhett Ellison currently injured and unable to practice, Morgan has a great opportunity to shine in front of the Vikings coaches right now.

David Morgan II is super fluid running intermediate routes. Already a great blocker. Huge opportunity for him with Ellison out. — Andy Carlson (@AndyCarlsonShow) July 31, 2016

3:30pm – And then there is Minnesota’s current backup quarterback situation…

Already seen a couple inaccurate balls thrown by Stave. His struggles continue. — Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) July 31, 2016

3:35pm – McKinnon, McKinnon, McKinnon, McKinnon, McKinnon, McKinnon! FREE MCKINNON!

Running backs working on pass catching. McKinnon and Pressley have the best hands. When on the sled, Asiata/McKinnon had good technique. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

McKinnon very explosive on the Lev Sled. pic.twitter.com/TazqbARiio — Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) July 31, 2016

3:40pm – With the pads being put on today, it was known that practice would be way more physical. The receivers are already experiencing that first hand. They have had a pretty easy time getting open during the first two days of practice, but now that the pads are on the defensive backs are able to be more physical. More of an equal battle between the two sides today than in the past two days.

Diggs gets Rhodes again underneath but Rhodes knocks it out of his hands — Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) July 31, 2016

Nice battle on deep pass between last years rookie trae Waynes and this years Laquon Treadwell Waynes wins it — Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 31, 2016

Kearse almost pick pic.twitter.com/FR4jWr4i0i — Vikings Diaries (@VikingsDiaries) July 31, 2016

Bridgewater fade up the sideline to J-Wright. Good placement but a nice break up by Roberson at the last second. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

3:55pm – Vikings now going through 11-on-11s. As stated before, the results should be different from days past given that the defense can actually use their physicality on the field today with everyone now in pads.

11-on-11 work. Teddy finds Thielen on a flag over the top of Munnerlyn. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

Teddy tries to find Johnson on a fade up the sideline. Rhodes with great coverage on the play. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

4:05pm – The defensive line could very well be the biggest strength for Minnesota heading into the season. The veteran leadership of Brian Robison and Everson Griffen combined with the beastly abilities of Linval Joseph and Danielle Hunter could give opposing quarterbacks nightmare all year long.

Danielle Hunter bullrushes Smith in elevens. Teddy scrambles for a gain — Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) July 31, 2016

Leadership: Brian Robison, apparently fed up with false start penalties, lays into his teammates between plays. Zimmer watches quietly. — Derek Wetmore (@DerekWetmore) July 31, 2016

Linval Joseph blows up a run play to McKinnon in 11 on 11. — Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) July 31, 2016

4:10pm – Minnesota’s defense seems to be playing much better in today’s practice with the addition of pads. Mike Zimmer and the rest of the Vikings defensive staff should be able to sleep a little more soundly tonight after the unit’s improvement on the field today.

Harrison pass rush. Leaps to deflect Teddy pass. — Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) July 31, 2016

Griffen gets of the edge for what probably would have been a sack. Teddy throws an errant pass that was picked by Sendejo. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

4:20pm – Second-year cornerback Trae Waynes is hoping to become a starter on this defense for Week 1. A solid camp by him could make it hard for Minnesota’s staff to do just that.

Waynes with nice coverage against MoBö. Creates small throwing window for Hill, ball inc — Josh Mensch (@JoshMenschNFL) July 31, 2016

Waynes and Treadwell battling has been fun to watch. Both big, physical and not afraid to bang on routes. — Andy Carlson (@AndyCarlsonShow) July 31, 2016

4:35pm – Team is back to 11-on-11s now and the defense is still impressive. They have a chance to be something special this season if everyone can remain healthy.

Defense looking a lot better. Forced a checkdown in first rep of final session of elevens — Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) July 31, 2016

Stephen gets nice interior pressure to blow up a McKinnon run. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

Teddy “sacked” by Griffen — Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) July 31, 2016

4:40pm – Rookie struggles have definitely been showing up for cornerback Mackensie Alexander. Before camp began, some thought he could challenge Captain Munnerlyn as the Vikings nickel corner. Right now, Munnerlyn’s job seems pretty safe.

Mackenzie struggles with first team D — Vikings Diaries (@VikingsDiaries) July 31, 2016

Appeared Mack Alexander got a little confused. Went to cover Rudolph outside and left a dragging Diggs open. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

4:50pm – Minnesota can pay him all the money in the world, but it seems to be the same old story with offensive tackle Matt Kalil. Could be his last season with the Vikings if he does not show a significant improvement in 2016.

Griffen torches Kalil again. Probable sack, but Teddy throws it too far ahead Diggs against Newman — Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) July 31, 2016

Andre Smith looking solid at RT. Kalil, on the other hand, just got smoked by Griffen on a rush. — Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) July 31, 2016

Griffen with a power speed move that destroys Kalil. So quick off the ball. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

5:00pm – Practice is coming to and end and the offensive and defensive lines are now facing off against each other in 1-on-1 battles. Seems as though the offensive lineman have more success in these situations than when they are lined up in 11-on-11s.

Kalil handles Griffen on the first rep in 1-on-1. Boone handles Floyd with ease. Joseph beats Sully. Fusco handles Johnson. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

Kalil doesn’t handle Griffen as well the next time around. Linval pushing Sully around a little. Fusco looks better. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

Even battle between Sirles/Trattou. Berger handles Stephen. — Vikings Corner (@VikingsCorner) July 31, 2016

5:05pm – Kicker Blair Walsh finishing off practice with a couple field goal kicks. He made them all today, but all eyes will be on the Vikings young kicker this season to see if he can rebound from his missed kick in last year’s playoffs.

Blair Walsh goes 8-for-8 in his first kicks in team drills at camp. All were in the 29-to-41-yard range. #Vikings — Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) July 31, 2016

This concludes our coverage of Vikings training camp for today. Come back tomorrow for MORE!