Vikings express interest in hosting NFL combine if it moves from Indianapolis

Aug. 2—If the NFL decides to move the scouting combine from Indianapolis on a rotating basis to other sites, the Vikings want in on the action.

Executive vice president of public affairs Lester Bagley said Monday the Vikings have sent an expression of interest to the NFL to have the combine at U.S. Bank Stadium as soon as 2023 should it be available for another area. The deadline was July 23 for teams to send an expression of interest to the league.

"They're not certain they're rotating it yet, so I think they're surveying to see the interest level," Bagley said. "We have great hospitality, great facilities. We think we could get our fan base to come. A great event."

Indianapolis has played host to the combine every year since 1987 except this year, when it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will be held there again in 2022, the last year of a contract.

The Vikings also once again sent an expression of interest to host a future NFL draft, and they have added one year of interest. They previously sought to hold the draft in 2024, 2025 or 2026, and now also have interest in holding it in 2027 since 2024 looks to be out.

Green Bay, Detroit and Washington are finalists for the 2024 draft. The 2022 draft will be in Las Vegas and the 2023 event in Kansas City, Mo.

"We threw our hat in the ring (for another year) at the back end," Bagley said.

JOHNSON TO IR

Vikings receiver Bisi Johnson, out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in practice last Friday, was placed Monday on injured reserve.

Johnson's knee injury ended his bid to be the team's third receiver this season behind Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. The competition is now between Dede Westbrook, Chad Beebe, K.J. Osborn and rookie Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

"Bisi's a good kid," said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. "Works real hard, knows all the positions. It was a non-contact injury. Just went to make a cut, so we'll miss him. He'll come back. He's a strong-minded, tough person."

The Vikings also placed rookie receiver Myron Mitchell on the COVID-19 reserve list. He joined quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, Kellen Mond and Nate Stanley, who were all placed on that list Sunday.

INJURY UPDATES

Offensive linemen Christian Darrisaw (groin), Wyatt Davis (ankle) and Cole Cabral (undisclosed) and tight end Tyler Conklin (ankle) sat out practice Monday.

Davis, who was out for a second straight practice, and Conklin both had their left ankles wrapped. Zimmer said Davis felt "a lot better" Monday. Conklin said his injury is "nothing major" and sitting out was "precautionary."

Westbrook, who suffered a torn ACL last October, was again limited. He didn't deny he's getting antsy about wanting to be a full participant.

"I've been ready to break loose," he said. "It will all work itself out."

Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken said kicker Riley Patterson, on the PUP list with an undisclosed injury, is expected back at practice "hopefully sometime this week."

BRIEFLY — General manager Rick Spielman said the Vikings expected Monday to have their first training camp practice in pads until it was determined in talks with the NFL their first such day can't be until Tuesday. Spielman said a June 3 NFL memo stated teams must have a five-day practice acclimation period followed by a day off and then a practice without pads. Spielman said he'll "take responsibility" for any "confusion" there might have been. — Zimmer said he hasn't ruled out the Vikings having a quarantined emergency quarterback on the practice squad in the event of coronavirus issues, but said it might depend on how many quarterbacks on the team are vaccinated. — Running back Dalvin Cook has lined up several times in recent practices in the Wildcat formation. "I told them we had to line up that way a few times, because, hey, maybe this happens during the year," Zimmer said. "I also told the receivers they're probably not catching many balls that day, either."