The Minnesota Vikings are in Cleveland this week, doing two joint practice days with the Browns. On Saturday, the two teams will top off their week together with a preseason game . Before the Vikings even boarded their flight, though, it became a trip to forget. And, it didn’t get much better when they touched down in “The Land”.
JJ McCarthy showed up to work on Monday with a sore knee, which was revealed as a torn meniscus one day later. On Wednesday, a full meniscus repair procedure was performed , ending his true rookie season in the NFL.
It got worse yesterday, though. On day one of joint practices, Jordan Addison was carted off the field. We later found out he has an ankle injury. It isn’t expected to be severe, but we’ve heard that before. Addison was seen after practice wearing a boot and using crutches.
Minnesota Vikings offense struggles vs Cleveland Browns defense on day one
But Minnesota’s woes so far, surrounding their trip to Cleveland, have gone beyond injuries and health problems. From all reports, the Vikings offense Wednesday was beaten into the turf by the Browns defense. Sam Darnold was under pressure all day, and did not perform very well under fire.
Even Christian Darrisaw, who is considered one of the top left tackles in the National Football League, could not handle Myles Garrett. The Browns’ monster defensive end is widely considered the best pass rusher in football. He looked like it yesterday, pretty much living in the backfield all day.
This, while two of Cleveland’s best defensive linemen, former Vikings Za’Darius Smith and Dalvin Tomlinson, stood on the sideline nursing injuries. Browns defenders were chirping, too.
The Cleveland defense dominated the Vikings offense the entire practice. The Browns intercepted passes, broke up balls, pressured the quarterbacks and talked. A lot.
“We just had more energy than they did,” Cleveland safety Juan Thornhill said.
Mark Craig – Star Tribune
Should we be concerned about ugly first day of joint practice for Vikings offense?
Of course, we have to remember that the Vikings were without Addison for part of the day, but that is no excuse. If it makes you feel even better, the Cleveland Browns offense struggled vs the Minnesota defense and the looks being thrown at Deshaun Watson, by Brian Flores.
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In fact, it does make me feel a little bit better. Nonetheless, this week has put an immediate stop on all that positivity rolling around the franchise and this fanbase, only a few days ago. Hopefully, reports out of Cleveland today are more positive.
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