Everything we're watching for at joint practices

The Patriots come to town on Wednesday for practices that KOC views as the true test of the summer

Photo courtesy Minnesota Vikings

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By Matthew Coller

I don’t want to speak for Kevin O’Connell but the Minnesota Vikings’ head coach sounded almost giddy when talking about joint practices this week with the New England Patriots.

“I expect it to be a joint practice intensity,” O’Connell said following the Vikings preseason victory over Houston. “That's why we put so much value on it.”

Since he arrived, KOC has moved away from the old school way of playing starters for the first half of the “dress rehearsal” game in the preseason and put a greater emphasis on joint practices. They have gone toe-to-toe with the 49ers, Titans, Cardinals and Browns in previous years and gotten important reps against different opponents without the same injury risk as playing key players in a preseason game.

This year in particular, the joint practices aren’t just a warm-up to the regular season. They hold more weight because there is still much to learn about this 2025 Vikings team. Let’s have a look at the things we will be most closely watching during Wednesday and Thursday’s practices…

JJ McCarthy vs. a good defense

In McCarthy’s first preseason game, it seemed that O’Connell was looking more at the operation than the results. He talked about things like getting the play call in and handling things at the line of scrimmage just as much as his 18-yard completion to Jordan Addison or fourth-down scramble for a first down. In the joint practices, O’Connell will be looking for execution and production against a talented Patriots defense that loaded up on talent this offseason by adding Harold Landry, Carlton Davis and Milton Williams.

The bar will be raised from McCarthy looking like he’s in command of the offense to the Vikings being able to complete passes and move the ball effectively. The QB’s accuracy and timing will specifically be under the microscope because there have been ups and downs during camp when it comes to consistently hitting receivers on the mark. McCarthy has hit some bumps during red zone period, which will certainly be part of the action this week. The two-minute drives have been an area of comfort for the 2024 first-rounder — will he look like captain clutch against the Patriots or make questionable decisions with the ball under the heat of another club’s pressure?

How do the receivers look? Will Justin Jefferson be back?

Some of the highest entertainment at joint practices is the one-on-ones between the receivers and cornerbacks. That will be especially interesting with the receiver position being in question as the Vikings prepare to go into the season with Jordan Addison suspended for three games and the next man right now being former XFL’er Lucky Jackson. Thus far, Jackson has looked the part and performed well in the preseason game. Can he solidify his role?

Having lost Rondale Moore to injury, the door is open for a player like rookie Tai Felton or someone from lower on the depth chart like Jeshaun Jones, Tim Jones, Thayer Thomas, Miles Price or Silas Bolden to rise to the challenge. It will also be worth watching whether the Vikings bring in another receiver to take Moore’s spot.

In years past, nobody has enjoyed joint practices quite as much as Justin Jefferson. He is an extreme competitor and has made it his mission to prove to the opposing team that he’s the best receiver in the NFL. Will he get a chance to do it again this year? He hasn’t practiced since the early part of training camp because of a hamstring issue. There might be an argument for holding him out because of his tendency to give 110% but it’s also important for Jefferson and McCarthy to be on the field at the same time during the most important reps of the summer.

The offensive line, particularly Donovan Jackson

It wasn’t the smoothest start for Jackson in the preseason in his 12 snaps. The first-rounder may be the player outside of McCarthy on the roster that needs to have a good week the most in order to get his confidence up heading into the regular season. Historically it has been a tough ride for rookie guards and Jackson has had some impressive moments and bumpy moments along the way during camp. Does he turn the corner when facing the impressive interior of the Patriots?

The offensive line as a whole really needs to have a good week. There have been times during camp where the defense has created so much pressure that it’s been difficult for McCarthy to operate normally in the pocket. The offense has too much to accomplish this week for plays to be constantly ending in sacks.

Will we see a lot of Christian Darrisaw this week? It has looked like he’s making progress but he hasn’t participated in a full practice yet as he returns from an ACL injury. Week 1 has always been in question for the superstar left tackle but if he isn’t playing much against New England, that would seem to make it less likely that he will be back to 100% by then. If he isn’t taking all the reps, will backup Justin Skule hold up? Will they try anyone else there if he struggles? It was notable that Blake Brandel played tackle during the preseason game and 2024 sixth-rounder Walter Rouse had a good game.

On the interior, guard Will Fries is still ramping back up after missing OTAs/minicamp with a leg injury and Ryan Kelly’s chemistry with McCarthy will presumably be tested by some Patriots blitzes.

The D-line rotation