Key Vikings starters remain sidelined during preseason finale in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, MO. — Receiver Justin Jefferson, running back Dalvin Cook and other important Vikings starters worked up a sweat warming up on a sweltering night at Arrowhead Stadium where temperatures reached the upper 90s.

But that would be all the work they would get ahead of Friday night's preseason finale against the Chiefs. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer again chose to rest most of his key starters, including defensive end Danielle Hunter, safety Harrison Smith and cornerback Patrick Peterson, meaning a retooled roster won't debut in full until the Sept. 12 opener at Cincinnati.

Eric Kendricks did not play. But unlike the majority of his teammates who donned pads and went through warmups, the All-Pro linebacker wore street clothes as he watched from the sideline. Receivers Dede Westbrook and Adam Thielenalso did not play.

Even though the offense struggled this preseason, tight end Irv Smith Jr., who had two grabs for 39 yards Friday, set high expectations entering the regular season.

"I think it's going to be very scary, honestly," Smith said. "We have a lot of talent on this offense. We're just excited to get to it. It's been a long camp. Now, we're almost to that time."

Eight others, all injured, didn't appear to make the trip to Kansas City: linebacker Anthony Barr, tackle Christain Darrisaw, tight end Tyler Conklin, running backs Alexander Mattison and Kene Nwangwu, safety Josh Metellus, receiver Dan Chisena and guard Dru Samia.

The high-powered Chiefs offense was nearly at full strength with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce playing two series. Kansas City did rest a few key starters in defensive tackle Chris Jones, defensive end Frank Clark and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

A reunion on both ends

As they prepared to face their former teams, cornerbacks Mike Hughes and Bashaud Breeland crossed midfield during pregame warmups to catch up with their former teammates and coaches.

Hughes, the Vikings' 2018 first-round pick, was traded to Kansas City in May for a late-round pick swap. He had appeared in just 24 games as injuries marred his first three NFL seasons. On Friday night, Hughes had a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Vikings called back because of an illegal block in the back.

Breeland started in back-to-back Super Bowls for the Chiefs, winning in 2019, before signing a one-year deal with the Vikings this offseason. Mahomes soured Breeland's return from the start with a 35-yard touchdown to Hill, who got a step on Breeland with a go route and didn't look back.

Coordinating adjustments

First-year Vikings offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak adjusted his sightlines Friday night, moving upstairs to the booth where he called plays at Arrowhead Stadium after calling plays from the sideline during the first two exhibitions. The 34-year-old has said he likes being closer to the players during the game, but he tried out this adjustment Friday. Former Vikings coordinator Gary Kubiak, his father, called plays from the booth last season.

"I just felt like he could see better up there," Zimmer said during his halftime interview. "Less commotion, he can get the calls in without everybody talking to him."

Co-defensive coordinator Adam Zimmer continued to call defensive plays as his father mulls whether to give up the game-day responsibility he has held across years and multiple NFL teams. Sparking this consideration for Mike Zimmer is the inexperience of his other coordinators in Kubiak and first-year special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken. Delegating play calling could theoretically help Zimmer better manage all phases.

Etc.

• Defensive end Everson Griffen debuted in the second quarter in his new role as a third-down pass rusher. He showed flashes of the old Griffen, including a pressure up the middle on his first series, and a sack on Shane Buecheleon his second drive. "I know he hit the quarterback a couple times," Zimmer said. "I thought he had another good rush. We just wanted to see him on third downs to see if he can still rush."

• Greg Joseph didn't tighten his grip on the kicking job. After making a 26-yard field goal in the first quarter, Joseph missed a 52-yard attempt wide right before halftime. He has made four of six field goals this preseason, missing both tries from beyond 50 yards.

• Linebackers Troy Dye (leg) and Chazz Surratt(neck) exited in the second quarter due to injuries. Both remained on the sideline, while Surratt returned before halftime.