Several Vikings were not at the second day of OTA workouts on Thursday at Winter Park.
Vikings first round draft pick, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was one of them. Bridgewater is taking part in an NFL PA rookie photo shoot in Los Angeles, according to the Star Tribune.
He is also expected to miss tomorrow’s practice.
Bridgewater’s absence made it four of the Vikings top five draft picks that were not in attendance. UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr, Oregon State defensive end Scott Crichton and Stanford guard David Yankey were all back at school finishing their degrees.
That left running back Jerick McKinnon as the only one of the team’s top five draft picks participating.
Offensive lineman Matt Kalil and safety Andrew Sendejo are both out as they continue to recover from offseason surgical procedures. Cornerback Josh Robinson and safety Jamarca Sanford were out Thursday. They have been ruled day-to-day with muscle pulls, according to 1500 ESPN.
Matt Cassel took most of the reps with the first team during Thursday’s OTA. Christian Ponder received the second and third team reps.
#NFL Matt Cassel still with the ones in Vikings OTAs – No Teddy, no mystery at Vikings camp. Repeating what happen… http://t.co/i3WdAoXIur
— Pro Football Wire (@ProFootballWire) May 29, 2014
While those guys were out, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was a full participant. He is also overcoming surgery to his injured groin that was one of the ailments that hampered his last season.
Peterson said there are no lingering issues with the injury.
“I’m well enough to go out and perform and not really feel like I’m going to injure myself or hurt myself,” Peterson told FOX Sports Net. “I still have a little work to do to get the strength back in the groin, but I’m more comfortable when I’m out there practicing.”
Peterson also was a participant in the Vikings’ voluntary minicamp as he and his teammates adjust to Norv Turner’s offensive system.
Turner’s offense is expected to involve Peterson more in the passing game.
Peterson’s career high in pass receptions is 43 and one reason he may be at the practices is to acclimate himself with the Vikings new offense.
