What we learned at Vikings rookie minicamp: Caleb Banks' injury timeline and more

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Then the majority of the group converged to simulate passing concepts. Friday also provided the first opportunity to see many of the new coaches. All of the drafted rookies participated except for first-round pick Caleb Banks, and that’s where we’ll begin: The Vikings are planning a methodical return process for Banks, a defensive tackle from Florida. He is still rehabbing from a spring surgery to repair the fractured fourth metatarsal in his left foot. Banks attended Friday’s practice and aggressively pedaled a stationary bike. He even stood behind his teammates and observed drills. His participation wasn’t expected. Minnesota’s medical staff wants Banks healthy for training camp. “We’re already to a point where we want to have our eyes (on the) end of July,” O’Connell said. “That’s the hope.” A towering athlete with power and twitch; his injury history may give some teams pause. Banks received a positive medical report when he arrived in Minnesota this week, according to O’Connell. Because the team typically takes more of a teaching approach during the summer, Banks may mix in during some of the late-stage workouts. In the meantime, defensive coordinator Brian Flores and defensive-line coach Ryan Nielsen plan to immerse Banks in the scheme. They see him as a fit for multiple spots. The more he can learn on the front end, the sooner he can filter in when healthy. O’Connell said Nielsen’s coaching will play a prominent role in the development of both Banks and third-rounder Domonique Orange. “If you’re around him long enough, and you get to watch him work, he’s teaching the smallest of details to equal great gains,” O’Connell said of Nielsen. “Helping guys play with more power. Helping guys who need to play a certain kind of way.” In 2025, Thomas entered the transfer portal. He had played safety at Tennessee, mostly in a role that asked him to focus on deep coverage. The University of Miami’s staff kicked the film over to defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. He believed the Hurricanes could weaponize Thomas’ all-around abilities more powerfully. Thomas took to the idea. Part of the intrigue, for him, was the fact that one of his heroes, a fellow product of the state of Tennessee named Harrison Smith, was asked to play multiple roles in the Vikings’ defense. Thomas is now playing for Smith’s longtime NFL team. Smith’s status remains up in the air, but O’Connell said Friday that one of the elements of Thomas’ pre-draft visit was watching film of Smith. “We pulled up the tape of Harrison quarterbacking the defense,” O’Connell said. “It got (Thomas) really excited, and we got to see a layer of him from the mental side.” On Friday, Thomas and first-year defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander were attached at the hip. Thomas described the coaching staff as “all about business.” “We make plays and we have fun,” Thomas said, “but when things don’t go right, we’re going to address it right there and now.” The reps Thomas takes with the full roster will be telling. The Vikings selected him in the third round, but he was one of the team’s priorities when the draft began. The Golday allure isn’t confined to one area. He’s towering for an off-ball linebacker at 6 feet 4 inches, and his change-of-direction ability is undeniable. He is versatile. He can make plays. His former coaches rave about his smarts. Cort Braswell, the linebackers coach at Cincinnati, said one NFL linebackers coach asked him an interesting question during the draft evaluation process: “If I come back here in five years, and Jake Golday didn’t make it, why would that be?” “That’s a really good question. Nobody has asked that.” After a few seconds of thought, he said, “If he doesn’t make it, it’s your fault.” “What do you mean?” the coach responded. Braswell said, “There’s nothing you can put in front of him that he cannot accomplish.” On Friday, the Vikings worked Golday with the off-ball linebackers. He participated in drills that required him to high-point passes, and he also lined up as a linebacker in seven-on-seven reps. This is the first phase of his introduction. Over the coming weeks and months, the more comfortable he gets with the off-ball duties, the Vikings will likely sprinkle in some pass rushing work. Minnesota will want to maximize Golday’s skill set. Not overloading him from the outset is the primary challenge. A towering athlete with power and twitch; his injury history may give some teams pause. • The more consistency the Vikings can get out of sixth-round running back Demond Claiborne early on, the better chance he’ll have to contribute this fall. Beyond running backs coach Curtis Modkins, many of the Vikings’ coaches and personnel staffers present were attentive to the running backs drills. Claiborne said Modkins has been “real honest” thus far. “I know exactly what I have to do, and he’s been real,” Claiborne said. “He’s making sure my alignment is right, that I’m hearing the play call, in tune to everything — being somebody who they can trust.” A low-calorie De’Von Achane: small, darting, electric. • For the first time, O’Connell discussed the Jauan Jennings signing on Friday. He suggested Jennings is a good fit because of his ability to wear multiple hats: He can play in the slot. He can block in the run game. He can separate against man-to-man coverage on third down. “You’ve got to be able to make contested catches and do something with it after the catch,” O’Connell said. “Jauan does all of those things. I think Vikings fans are going to fall in love watching this guy play football.” • When O’Connell was asked about Nielsen’s impact, he also noted the job offensive line coach Keith Carter has done. This wasn’t random. The Vikings’ offensive line has altered some of its practice work and habits. This will come into focus throughout training camp. “Keith has a style of coaching that is very detailed but is driven by passion and energy and maximizing any opportunity we have toward building something special,” O’Connell said. “He’s setting really high standards for that room. He’s not alone in feeling like the ceiling for that group is very high.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms