Three teams are still conducting their minicamps as of Wednesday: the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings. Most teams will launch their full training camps in late July, but for these three teams, there's still plenty to be learned from early minicamp practices.
NFL OTA news: Falcons, Titans and Vikings work out on Wednesday
The Atlanta Falcons are focusing on their rookie cornerbacks, the Tennessee Titans wrapped things up early and the Minnesota Vikings expect big things from Sharrif Floyd.
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Let’s go through all three teams and any interesting storylines from Wednesday’s practices:
Atlanta Falcons
Cornerback Asante Samuel went down with an injury early on, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Samuel went down making a play on the football, and his right ankle was checked on by a trainer. Ledbetter later reported that Samuel was walking fine after practice.
The biggest thing to note at minicamp thus far: cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford. They were the team's first- and second-round picks in the 2013 NFL Draft, and both were getting work with the first team at training camp, as noted by Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It's likely that Trufant will be a starter and Alford will get work in nickel situations; their early progress is promising.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans decided that a three-day minicamp was unnecessary, as head coach Mike Munchak officially concluded the team’s workouts after Wednesday’s sessions, according to the Associated Press. Rookies will still have to report on Thursday, but veterans get time off until the team opens its full training camp in July.
Tennessee worked a hard two days, though. The team elected to treat both days of practice like a game, with officials calling full penalties, and players participating in numerous game-situation drills.
Also of note from the minicamp, as we already reported: the strong play from wide receiver Kenny Britt and defensive end Derrick Morgan. Both players have disappointed to this point in their careers, with the former being injury-prone and the latter failing to get after the quarterback with regularity. Both players are entering crucial years and need to step it up.
Minnesota Vikings
The biggest news out of Minnesota's camp: rookie defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd started rotating in with the first team, according to ESPN Twin Cities. Floyd has been spending extra time after camp working out, and it paid off on Wednesday as he took snaps with the first team alongside Letroy Guion.
Floyd earning a starting role when the season begins isn’t a foregone conclusion, but the Vikings would be better off if he plays well enough to earn a job. Floyd continuing to impress in minicamp and July’s training camp can only help things.
Also on Wednesday, running back Adrian Peterson was working out on his own while the team conducted minicamp, according to Dave Campbell at SI.com. Peterson's absence was expected, though, as the team is giving him plenty of rest in the leadup to training camp and the regular season. If there's anyone who deserves rest at this point, it's Peterson, given that he essentially carried the team to the playoffs last year coming off major reconstructive surgery on his leg.
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