Jalyn Holmes ran 7 a.m. sprints in a helmet and shorts on his Ohio street, drawing attention from neighbors as the third-year Vikings defensive lineman tried to slim down without reliable access to a gym during the pandemic.
Holmes (91, above), who is taking first-team reps at defensive end while Danielle Hunter was sidelined Wednesday for a third straight practice, dropped to 277 pounds after weighing as much as 300 pounds as a defensive tackle last season.
A move back to end, his old Ohio State position, meant no dairy or fast food this summer, and a lot of cardio "to be able to run at defensive end," he said Wednesday via videoconference.
A 2018 fourth-round pick, Holmes has struggled to find a consistent role in two Vikings seasons, playing a career-high 38 snaps with fellow reserves in last year's regular season finale.
Holmes has briefly appeared in NFL action as an end, but the Vikings hope a full-time move is a better fit.
"[End] is probably a better spot for him," head coach Mike Zimmer said. "Things don't happen quite as fast out there at end. So far he's done a nice job and we're looking forward to more improvement."
Because of Hunter's injury, which Zimmer said is minor, the Vikings' end depth is getting early exposure amid the backdrop of Everson Griffen choosing the Cowboys over a return to Minnesota. Holmes' offseason makeover could provide dividends with room on the depth chart to earn a rotational role.
"Cut red meat. I just ate cleaner," Holmes said. "Got my smoothie game up over the offseason, so I just cut a lot of the bad weight I felt like I had the first two years."
