24 August 2023
If quarterback Kirk Cousins had it his way, he would be suited up every time the Vikings stepped onto the field, no matter the time or place. Even in a preseason game that doesn’t count.
Maybe it’s a good thing then that head coach Kevin O’Connell has the final say. Since taking over in Minnesota before the 2022 season, O’Connell hasn’t allowed Cousins to suit up in a preseason game, and that’s unlikely to change against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The rationale is simple: Why risk injury with the Sept. 10 season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming into focus? As much as Cousins understands that thought process, he also believes there are certain things about a game that practice can’t simulate.
“There’s an argument to be made on both sides,” Cousins said. “You’ve got to be ready Week 1 regardless.”
That’s why the Vikings hosted a couple of joint practices with the Cardinals this week, as well as a couple of joint practices with the Tennessee Titans last week.
“We really have to make this as game-like as possible,” Cousins said of the joint practices. “That’s the plan.”
Sometimes that means continuing a rep in practice regardless of whether the play would have resulted in a sack in game. Sometimes that means actually getting rid of the ball when there’s pressure in his face.
All of it is designed to make sure Cousins is ready to go when the Vikings play the Buccaneers in a couple of weeks.
“I continue to go back to last year, Week 1, I think was a surprise to me with how well it went,” Cousins said referencing how the Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers handily in the season opener. “There was a lot that was brand new and we went out there as if we had been together 10 years.”
As Cousins noted, Week 2 went much differently, and the Vikings got smashed by the Philadelphia Eagles in primetime.
“We just understand that no matter what we’ve got to get it done,” Cousins aid. “We’ve got to play at a high level, not only Week 1, in every week that follows.”
Harry gets cut
After suffering a minor injury while warming up for the preseason game last weekend, receiver N’Keal Harry had his contract terminated by the Vikings.
It was always going to be an uphill climb for Harry to make the team after being brought in midway through training camp. Though he made a number of plays in practice, using his 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame to his advantage, Harry couldn’t do enough to stick with the Vikings.
In a corresponding move, the Viking signed safety Jake Gervase. That likely means safety Lewis Cine won’t be available for Saturday’s preseason game. He suffered minor injury during a walkthrough this week and hasn’t practiced since.
Day 21 observations
— There was no sign of receiver K.J. Osborn on Thursday. In his absence, rookie receiver Jordan Addison got the reps as the No. 2 receiver.
— The secondary for the Vikings flashed in team drills, with cornerback Byron Murphy, safety Josh Metellus and safety Jay Ward all hauling in interceptions.
— After progressing through the recovery process, linebacker Brian Asamoah and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon returned from their respective injuries and were both active for team drills.
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