Punches Thrown at Minnesota Vikings Training Camp

The Minnesota Vikings kicked off training camp and are quickly closing in on the preseason debut against the Houston Texans. Players are looking to position themselves for significant roles, and that means showing up every single day.

While there are battles further down the depth chart, you’d be misguided to think that starting talent doesn’t want to assert themselves as well. The offense has had to deal with difficult Brian Flores schemes, and that means they’ve had to earn every inch.

Individually guys are going to want standout moments, but that doesn’t mean it won’t draw the ire of the competitors around them. Enter linebacker Brian Asamoah.

Brian Asamoah hurls a haymaker in MN Vikings practice

It has been an interesting career for Minnesota Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah. There was a time he seemed like a breakout candidate, but now he could be on the roster bubble. After lighting up Aaron Jones on a tackle, a scuffle broke out.

Asamoah and Batty are both little more than additional depth, but they are trying to stand out in relation to their peers. Asamoah is a former third round pick that has yet to substantiate himself. Batty went undrafted and would love a shot at the practice squad.

Related: Former Vikings Draft Pick At Risk of Getting Cut?

Of course quarter J.J. McCarthy isn’t going to put up with the beef up front or his starting veteran running back being knocked around. While he still needs to show his prowess as a contender when games start to count, it matters that he shows protection for those around him too.

Vikings need poise during joint practices

This is just training camp in its infancy still. There will be plenty more high contention situations to arise as the roster trims down and the regular season draws nearer.

O’Connell clearly was not thrilled with what he saw from the Minnesota Vikings displaying a level of infighting today. It’s one thing to see tensions rise with your own team. It’s completely another to almost expect it against the competition.

In the lead up to their second preseason contest against the New England Patriots, the Vikings will share the TCO Performance Center practice fields with the competition. Joint practices always seem to bring out additional frustrations.

Related: 4 Vikings Defenders Who Could Earn Bigger Role During Training Camp

Regardless of their roster status or the mark they’d like to make, Vikings players will need to remain in check the rest of the way.