Vikings day at camp: No starters have missed a practice because of injury

Monday was another sunny day with low humidity, winds at 14 miles per hour and players who are eager to start hitting some enemy players come Sunday in Canton, Ohio. This was the eighth day of practice and yet the team still hasn't had a starter miss a practice because of injury. Yeah, feel free to knock on wood.

Other than a few goal-line snaps, it's rare to see a linebacker and running back go to the ground in today's NFL training camps. But we saw that Monday when Gerald Hodges, who is getting a look at middle linebacker, burst through the line, knocked over running back Jerick McKinnon and then sort of crawled over the top of him. Zimmer stepped in and told Hodges to tone down his actions after the tackle. "He said, 'Just calm down. Just make your play and go back to the huddle,' " Hodges said. "You don't want to get anybody rowdied up. I was kind of letting him know that me and Jerick have a great relationship. But you still have to make your plays and get back to the huddle."

The Vikings worked on quick kicks with the quarterbacks and kicker Blair Walsh. Teddy Bridgewater had one decent punt and three not-so-decent punts, including a shank that reminded everybody that he won't be taking Jeff Locke's job anytime soon. Walsh also shanked one and then hit a nice spiral near the goal line.

"Mr. Mankato" is starting to flash again. Receiver Adam Thielen, the former undrafted rookie long shot from Minnesota State, made a diving catch of a pass thrown by Hill deep and over the middle. It was the kind of play and ensuing cheer from the crowd that forced the Vikings to put him on the practice squad in 2013 and the 53-man roster last year.

"What are we doing over here? Are we having a team meeting or are we good?"

— Zimmer, who paused long enough from watching his defensive ends working hard to address his defensive tackles, who were just milling about.

Scott Crichton, DE: Didn't practice because of an undisclosed injury, one defensive coordinator George Edwards indicated wasn't serious.

DuJuan Harris, RB; Gavin Lutman, WR; B.J. Dubose, DE; and Josh Robinson, DB: Didn't practice. Robinson remains on the physically unable to perform list.

Carter Bykowski, T: Returned to practice from a thigh injury.

Tuesday: 10:30-11:30 a.m. (walkthrough); 7:15-9:15 p.m.

Wednesday: off

Thursday: 10:30-11:30 a.m. (walkthrough); 2:45-5 p.m.

MARK CRAIG