Vikings Training Camp Observations: Linemen Toe-to-Toe; Justin Jefferson Makes Contested Catch
Murray and McCarthy each started and ended their days playing well.
In 1-on-1s, they took turns completing four consecutive passes. And in respective 2-minute drills to conclude practice, they orchestrated scoring drives — Murray with the first offense, McCarthy with the second.
Trailing 21-20 and at 1:10, Murray kickstarted a drive from the minus-35 with darts to the left and right to T.J. Hockenson, then Justin Jefferson. The “Jets” catch gained a first down and stopped the clock with 59 seconds. Murray scrambled out of bounds with 52 ticks to go on the next snap as he was pursued by Turner, and then he got some classic superstar help — guess who! — on a deep pass into double coverage.
Outjumping Theo Jackson and Isaiah Rodgers, Jefferson snatched Murray’s throw, shed the defenders and proceeded to cruise into the end zone. It was reminiscent of a handful of catches he’s made before.
McCarthy followed suit by leading a field goal drive (there was no kick, but it was shoo-in territory for Reichard) that began with a defensive penalty on an incomplete pass. Taking advantage of the stopped clock and free yardage, the offense called a draw to Zavier Scott, who gained just a couple, and then the running back gathered a checkdown and bolted for a first down. Afterward, McCarthy tried to flick one into a tight window to Gavin Bartholomew, but it was denied. He responded, though, with a sizable gain via a pass over the middle to Dontae Fleming. Then, the offense drained the clock and called a timeout.
The period capped noticeably good practices for both quarterbacks.
