Vikings' daily dispatch from Mankato

The soundtrack of Sunday's afternoon session was groans and thuds as coach Mike Zimmer and the Vikings had their first padded practice of training camp. Even though temperatures were in the low 80s, the scorching sun was unrelenting until the breeze finally blew in some welcome cloud cover.

Zimmer's defense won this day, in large part due to his defensive line, which could be one of the NFL's best this season. The front four often got a jump on an offensive line that is being shuffled daily. The Vikings continue to rotate at center and right tackle when their first-team offense is on the field. Today, it was John Sullivan and Andre Smith at those positions, respectively.

With the bleachers packed with purple-clad fans, kicker Blair Walsh received his first camp kicks in team drills Sunday. He made the crowd happy and perhaps a little relieved, too, by splitting the uprights with all eight of his field-goal attempts, which ranged from 29 to 41 yards.

Rookie quarterback Joel Stave probably has the strongest arm on the team, but during the first three days of camp the Wisconsin product's aim has been scattershot. He did produce one of Sunday's highlights, though, when he connected with former Gophers wide receiver Isaac Fruechte on a deep ball down the right sideline. That throw was wobbly, but it was on the money as Fruechte beat cornerback Melvin White for a long touchdown.

"Purple rain! Purple rain!"

— Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, with a nod to Prince, while making a call at the line of scrimmage. He then completed a pass to Stefon Diggs.

The Vikings waived cornerback Keith Baxter and linebacker Jason Whittingham. Zimmer said Baxter had been hospitalized but did not provide any more details.

With his hamstring still bothering him and the Vikings in pads, running back Adrian Peterson did not participate in practice. … Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who injured his left shoulder Friday, was sidelined, too. … Also sitting out Sunday were guard Mike Harris, tight end Rhett Ellison and quarterback Taylor Heinicke. … Diggs was back after sitting out the second half of Saturday's practice. … Nose tackle Kenrick Ellis was activated from the physically unable to perform list and practiced.

Monday

• 10:30-11:30 a.m. walkthrough

• 2:45-5 p.m. practice

Matt Vensel