Ravens head coach and former Michigan DC Jesse Minter on J.J. McCarthy:

"Love J.J., we had a really good relationship. He's a really young player and I think he's got a lot of upside still. He's a gamer, he's a winner. He makes plays with his legs, he can make all the throws.…

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 21, 2026

"Love J.J., we had a really good relationship. He's a really young player and I think he's got a lot of upside still. He's a gamer, he's a winner. He makes plays with his legs, he can make all the throws.

"He had a pretty expansive run game at Michigan and there wasn't maybe always the same type of (pass) concepts that he's doing now, so I think he's still learning."

https://www.vikings.com/news/ravens-joint-practice-2-observations-defending-the-north

Vikings vs. Ravens Joint Practice 2 Observations

EAGAN, Minn. — With light rain sprinkling & players spending ample time with friends & family on final day of 2026 Vikings TC open to fans, Brian Flores strolled off the practice fields Thursday with swagger & a wide smile.

It reflected the pair of joint practices that Minnesota's defense relished against Baltimore.

On both days, and especially today, Flo's group smothered Lamar Jackson & the Ravens. The front-seven pressure was palpable & the backend featured a pick by Jackson's cousin James Pierre, who kept things professional afterward & praised Jackson's talent.

He's one of the league's best, after all, & is surrounded by a solid supporting cast led by Zay Flowers and Derrick Henry. Overall, it was two days of beneficial work for the Vikings as they prepare for their 2nd game of the preseason on Saturday and get closer to Week 1.

Minnesota's offense also performed well, riding momentum from the final part of practice Wednesday when Murray and McCarthy steered long scores in a 2-minute drill.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell spoke with media before the session & noted appreciation for Vikings fans attending 16 sessions across nearly three weeks, including hot days when they were "probably boiling up there in the bleachers." Cloud coverage Thursday felt like an appropriate award.

He also highlighted why he was so glad to host Baltimore and first-year Head Coach Jesse Minter, whom he holds in high regard for his defensive tactics, similar in a way to Flores.

"I think they do a really, really good job kind of making it murky. There's a lot of times you don't really, you know, similar to a lot of the principles Flo' has kind of implemented in addition to the pressure world that we've lived in has been," O'Connell shared. "There's a reason why I wanted to practice against it because it's given us trouble. … They've got really good pressures based out of the same looks, where maybe it's not the all-out pressure like we do, but it's in more of the zone world where they're dropping [players into coverage].

"It's a great test for us & it's one of my favorite parts about it," he continued. "They're gonna get us from time to time & then hopefully we can on the grass correct & prepare our guys, & the next time we block it, & that happened a couple times yesterday."

After the two-hour practice, Ravens players were treated to Minnesota Nice hospitality & worked out in the Vikings weight room. Here are 6 observations from Craig Peters & myself.

1. Defending the North in 2-minute drill | By Craig

After watching Minnesota's offense go against Baltimore's defense Wednesday, I switched vantage points with Rob to spend most of Thursday watching the defense.

We'll start takeaways with the way Minnesota defended the North by not allowing Baltimore to cross its 45-yard line during two Ravens possessions in 2-minute drills...

The first- and second-team offenses were given the ball at the Baltimore 30-yard line with 1:15 remaining and needing a field goal to overcome a 23-21 deficit in the fourth quarter.

Baltimore opened with Jackson attempting a pass to Mark Andrews, but Jay Ward was able to break it up. Jackson followed with a completion to Devontez Walker for a gain of 6.

On what seemed to be Dallas Turner's only blemish of an otherwise dominant day, the outside linebacker jumped the snap count for an encroachment penalty & fresh set of first downs.

On first-and-10 from the 41, Jackson tried to find Flowers, but the receiver dropped the low offering. It didn't matter because a penalty was assessed against the Ravens for a 10-yard mark-off.

A quick receiver screen to Flowers went nowhere fast before a penalty against the Vikings that resulted in a fresh set of downs and the ball at the 36.

Jackson tried to connect with tight end Durham Smythe but was unsuccessful thanks to coverage on the play by Joshua Metellus, who showed his versatility on the next snap by surging through the line on a blitz for a sack.

A pass on third-and-18 to LaJohntay Wester got some of the yardage back, but Jackson tried a deep heave on fourth down that Pierre snagged with his diving interception.

Tyler Huntley found a couple of quick completions to receiver Xavier Guillory and tight end Josh Cuevas to move the ball to the 47, but the drive stalled at the Minnesota 45-yard line. On a third-and-3, Huntley's pass to Guillory fell incomplete thanks to coverage by Da'Veawn Armstead. On the following snap, defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie surged through the protection for a walk-off sack.

2. Vikings QBs stretch field in 2-minute | By Rob

Minnesota's offenses thrived, with a little yellow helping hand, in crunch time.

The first series began with back-to-back incompletions — one a throwaway out of bounds by Murray with Aaron Jones, Sr., in the vicinity, & the other a wayward pass to Justin Jefferson on a slant.

Baltimore was flagged after the second play, however, awarding 15 yards to Murray's group. And they took full advantage. In succession, Murray synced with T.J. Hockenson on a quick hit to his right, then checked down to Jones over the middle with 44 seconds left, except it was negated by offensive holding. It didn't matter. Murray positively answered the negative play, spinning a deep pass up the right side to a streaking Jauan Jennings who pierced it in stride.

That positioned the offense at about the Ravens 35 with 37 seconds to go. The offense gained 5 more yards on another Ravens penalty; then Murray found Jefferson in the flat to his left, & "Jets" made an awesome cut inside that put a Ravens cornerback on skates.

That provided enough confidence to drain what was left of the clock, signal a timeout & bring on All-Pro kicker Will Reichard, who connected on a 46-yard field goal to win the drill.

McCarthy's offense also benefited from the Ravens' overzealousness — and going long.

After linking with Myles Price & Bryson Nesbit for short gains, McCarthy flicked a pass to Jeshaun Jones far up the right sideline. Ravens CB T.J. Tampa, Jr., was flagged for defensive pass interference, moving up the unit to the 30. Right after, McCarthy & Jones clicked for a few, and the receiver managed to run out of bounds with the clock stopped at 24 seconds.

Cue the fireworks.

In an effort to reposition the rock to the right hash and give Reichard another chance at a game-winning boot, McCarthy stuffed the ball into Demond Claiborne's belly going to the right. The running back ate. Actually, he devoured the opportunity, bouncing his off-tackle track to an acre of green grass and accelerating into the clear for an emphatic six points.

The moment got even sweeter when backup center Michael Jurgens sprinted to the end zone and hoisted Claiborne in the air to celebrate with his former Wake Forest teammate.

3. Doorstep denials by Vikings defense | By Craig

The teams spent a considerable amount of time of time working on different situations near and in the red zone (inside defense's 20-yard line).

Minnesota's defense clamped down on multiple plays, showing up solidly to meet Henry & other backs on run plays & limiting completions.

Jackson & Huntley combined for the three completions, including one touchdown to Ja'Kobi Lane on a slant, but the defense had a case for logging five sacks over the course of 20-plus plays.

Prior to the team periods, linebacker Blake Cashman snagged an interception on a deflection in a 7-on-7 red zone period.

4. Doorstep knocks for Vikings offense | By Rob

The high- and low- red zone periods featured a handful of flashes for the offense on the ground and through the air, as well as some physical play between receivers and corners.

In the former, Murray delivered a dot up the seam to Hockenson; it was an ideal reply one play after four-time Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson zipped into the backfield for a sack.

The coolest play in the latter period probably was a fadeaway TD pass from Murray to Jennings, who gained several yards of separation against Ravens safety Jaylinn Hawkins.

In addition to Murray and McCarthy threading the needle a couple times for scoring passes near the front-middle of the end zone — touchdown scorers were Jordan Addison and Gavin Bartholomew — there were several sharp, multi-cut runs from Jones and Jordan Mason.

Both quarterbacks also tried tucking the ball on zone reads, but neither had positive runs.

5. Have a day, Dallas Turner | By Craig

We alluded to Turner's big day earlier, and now it's time to give it more shine.

He was an absolute force around the right edge of the Vikings defense & left side of Baltimore's offensive line with several productive snaps against two-time Pro Bowler Ronnie Stanley.

There were successes on speed moves, & there were impressive displays of power conversions.

Perhaps the best part is how in sync Turner seemed with the rest of the group, from interior linemen like Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez & Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, to fellow outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel to inside linebackers Cashman and Eric Wilson.

Turner's success would prompt an offense to consider providing tight end help, but that could free up some of the players mentioned above for Flores. The 2024 first-round pick could be primed for the next level in his first season as a Week 1 starter and third overall.

6. Claiborne scoots with something to prove | By Rob

O'Connell stated Claiborne's fumble at the end of a chunk run on Wednesday was a great learning moment for the rookie running back. He seemed to take it to heart given the effort he played with Thursday.

Before turning the corner & flashing like lightning for a touchdown in the two-minute drill, Claiborne stacked a collection of high-quality rushes in the high- and low-red zone periods.

On one rep, Claiborne ping-ponged off tacklers & stayed on his feet for long enough to fall into the end zone. On another, he wiggled into the teeth of the defense for a short score.

StickierBuns wrote:

https://x.com/koestreicher34/status/2090509235503132932?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ

Wacker says Hendrickson beat his man so badly on one play he celebrated before Kyler Murray got the ball out of his hand

Isn't that the point of a sack, you get there before the QB gets the ball out of his hand? And since you can't hit the QB in scrimmage, you celebrate instead.

For some reason, Blake Cashman tends to fly under the radar. But just thinking about camp and reviewing the notes from Vikings joint practices with the Ravens, the LB was and has been just exceptional.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 21, 2026

No Vikings.

.@TheAthletic ranks the Top 25 Players in the NFL that are 25 & Under:

1. Penei Sewell, LT
2. Jalen Carter, DT
3. Brock Bowers, TE
4. Kyle Hamilton, S
5. Trent McDuffie, CB
6. Will Anderson Jr., DE
7. Derek Stingley Jr., CB
8. Puka Nacua, WR
9. Bijan Robinson, RB
10.… pic.twitter.com/BNQ0m9NLLJ

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) August 21, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:

No Vikings.
https://x.com/sleepernfl/status/2090799695971189178?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ

The KAM era gets harder to stomach as time goes on...

NT has his work cut out - and also a low bar vs his predecessor

purplefaithful wrote:

The KAM era gets harder to stomach as time goes on...

I wonder if we'll ever know the story on the timing of KAM's firing......that he was fired was no surprise, the when of it? Very interesting.

StickierBuns wrote:

I wonder if we'll ever know the story on the timing of KAM's firing......that he was fired was no surprise, the when of it? Very interesting.

100% Sticky...

I always thought there was more to this then meets the eye when it happened...

The timing makes no sense...That is unless you believe the last (and biggest) straw was QB...

• KAM was fired on 1/30/26 - just 9 days b4 Uncle Sammy played in the Super Bowl.

purplefaithful wrote:

- just 9 days b4 Uncle Sammy played in the Super Bowl.

Sigh. Uncle Sammy. He grew on me. 🥹

One clear observation from being at TCO Performance Center today: It was easy to notice #Vikings third-year edge rusher Dallas Turner having success against stud Ravens OL Ronnie Stanley. I caught up with Turner after today's practice: pic.twitter.com/NstZnR17eh

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) August 20, 2026

I also caught up after practice today with #Vikings RB Aaron Jones Sr., a noted fan of #Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck (last answer). pic.twitter.com/HUHlXGm8Gj

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) August 20, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:

No Vikings.
https://x.com/sleepernfl/status/2090799695971189178?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ

He will be number 1 on that list after the year. Turner will only be 24

purplefaithful wrote:

100% Sticky...
I always thought there was more to this then meets the eye when it happened...
The timing makes no sense...That is unless you believe the last (and biggest) straw was QB...
KAM was fired on 1/30/26 - just 9 days b4 Uncle Sammy played in the Super Bowl.

I think the Wilfs got tired of the ribbing the other owners gave them about "do you see where your old QB is playing this coming weekend?"