Vikings Training Camp Notes: Kyler Murray and T.J. Hockenson's Connection Heats Up

The Minnesota Vikings are heading into the stretch run for training camp. Kyler Murray is the starter and has settled in. After only one series, you can expect to see Murray and the starting offense for a longer stretch on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. Joint practices between the two teams will be very telling. 

Jesse Minter's defense wasn't vanilla during their preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. The message is clear, the Ravens will be blitzing. For the Vikings, this will be a nice test against a defense looking to regain their dominance under the former Michigan defensive coordinator. 

Rob Kleifield of Vikings.com shared some notes from today's training camp session.

Murray and T.J. Hockenson are heating up

"The veteran tight end and Kyler Murray connected for not one, nor two but three touchdowns in super tight quarters against the first defense. To start, Hockenson boxed out Jay Ward along the white stripe and elevated to snag a pass and tap his toes for six points before Ward laid a lick on him (not as brutal as the one he put on Giants QB Jaxson Dart for a sack last Saturday, though). Hock' toe-tapped for six on the very next snap, too, this time ascending in the back middle of the end zone and tucking the rock as he went to the grass.

Hockenson polished a TD trifecta toward the end of the period when he faded away from Blake Cashman in the front center of the zone at the last possible second and retrieved another look from Murray. The defense begged for a push-off pass interference penalty on Hock', but the officials signaled a clean score."

Jay Ward is fresh off his big hit on Jaxson Dart and it feels like his physicality is going to continue into the season. The news of the growing connection is only good news for the Vikings offense. If Hockenson can contribute with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings as pass catchers, the offense becomes even more difficult to defend.

Murray has settled in nicely and the announcement was the right choice for the offense. Build continuity and install the offense without the fear of coming off the field to split reps. Hockenson is looking to bounce back and if healthy, can be a final piece for a potentially potent offense.