Vikings TE Robert Tonyan carted off with back spasms during practice

Vikings tight end Robert Tonyan, who was carted off the field in the middle of the team’s Wednesday practice, is dealing with back spasms, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Tonyan was taken off the field to the team’s training room after he went down on the grass and was unable to sit up for several minutes. The 30-year-old, whom the Vikings signed to a one-year deal this spring, had been a pleasant surprise as a receiving option during the team’s offseason program and the first part of training camp. There was no immediate indication Wednesday of how much time he’d miss, but the Vikings’ off-day on Thursday could come at a good time.

Tonyan caught only 11 passes for the Bears last year, but he had posted two seasons with at least 50 catches for the Packers, including the 2020 season where he hauled in 11 receiving touchdowns. If he can get healthy, he could be a receiving option for the Vikings early in the season while T.J. Hockenson — who has been running on a side field during practice this week — continues to recover from ACL surgery.

Cornerback Fabian Moreau, who signed with the Vikings on Wednesday, didn’t wait long before playing a prominent role in practice.

Moreau, the 30-year-old corner who started 11 games for the Broncos last season, worked with the first-team defense on Wednesday afternoon in his first practice. The Vikings remain without Shaq Griffin, whom coach Kevin O’Connell said is “progressing“ on his way back from a leg injury, and lost Mekhi Blackmon to a torn ACL last week.

To make room for Moreau on Wednesday, the Vikings waived linebacker Abraham Beauplan.

Wednesday’s thunderstorms cut the Vikings’ practice a few minutes short and hurried fans out of the TCO Performance Center, but those in attendance got another good showing from first-round pick J.J. McCarthy in the red zone.

Facing the Vikings’ first-team defense, McCarthy hit Lucky Jackson for a touchdown against a blitz, flexing his muscles as fans applauded. He also found Trishton Jackson over the middle of the field against coverage from Blake Cashman and Camryn Bynum.

The Vikings’ second padded practice also had a brief conflict between tight end Johnny Mundt and linebacker Brian Asamoah II, who hit Mundt forcefully along the sideline and tumbled to the ground as Mundt threw the ball at him. Mundt briefly approached Asamoah before teammates steered him back to the offense.