Setting the scene

After heavy rain pounded Mankato overnight, the precipitation went away Tuesday but the clouds remained, making this the coolest day of camp with temperatures in the high 70s. The Vikings were in full pads for the first time since the 2014 season finale. It was nice to hear the collisions.

Back in pads

It has been a lot longer since running back Adrian Peterson was in shoulder pads, and one could tell he relished it after all his time off. On one run that Peterson bounced to the outside, turned up the field and headed straight toward safety Robert Blanton. Blanton pulled up because coach Mike Zimmer has instructed his defenders not to hit Peterson, but Peterson put his shoulder into Blanton, much to the delight of the fans.

Harry situation

Safety Harrison Smith had a good practice. He made a sliding interception of a pass that Teddy Bridgewater threw over the head of tight end Kyle Rudolph. Smith, who was a standout running back in high school, jumped to his feet and tried to juke his way to the end zone, but he only gained about 10 yards despite running about 50 yards total in a few different directions. Two plays later, he nearly picked off Bridgewater again.

Under the microscope

After wideout Cordarrelle Patterson got the better of rookie cornerback Trae Waynes early in practice, Zimmer spent a couple of practice periods keeping a close eye on the team's top pick. After most of the plays Waynes was involved in, Zimmer offered up a pointer or praise — usually the former. It seemed to be helping. Waynes stuck to wide receiver Adam Thielen as he ran a wheel route out of the slot and got a "nice job" from Zimmer for not falling for Patterson's head fake on a curl route.

Camp Chatter

"Way to go, moneybags."

— A random fan to Blair Walsh after the kicker with the new contract hit a camera lift while making one of eight field goals.

Injury report

• CB Josh Robinson (pectoral muscle) and NT Shamar Stephen (knee) remain sidelined. WR DaVaris Daniels (undisclosed) returned to practice.

SCHEDULE

Wednesday: 10:30-11:30 a.m. (walkthrough) and 2:45-5 p.m.

Thursday: No practice

Friday: 10:30-11:30 a.m. (walkthrough) and 2:45-5 p.m.

MORE FROM MANKATO

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