The Vikings came away impressed with rookie cornerback Mike Hughes’ debut in the preseason opener. Another rookie might not contribute as much this season, but is showing early signs of improvement at a critical position.
Tackle Brian O’Neill, the former Pittsburgh tight end currently in just his fourth year playing offensive line, also received good feedback from coaches, including head coach Mike Zimmer.
“O’Neill played pretty well,” Zimmer said. “Some of the things we were working on that he had been doing previously, he did not do, which was good. In the running game he was pretty good, getting to the second level blocking his guys.