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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray
The Minnesota Vikings take another major step in their 2026 preseason preparation Wednesday as the Baltimore Ravens arrive at TCO Performance Center for the first of two joint practices.
The Vikings and Ravens will practice together Wednesday and Thursday (August 19-20) before meeting Saturday in their second preseason game. Minnesota announced the joint practices earlier this offseason, making these two sessions an important opportunity for both teams to evaluate players against unfamiliar competition.
For the Vikings, the practices could provide much more meaningful evaluation than a typical preseason game. Here are five things to watch as the two teams take the field.
5 Things to Watch for the Minnesota Vikings
1. Kyler Murray vs. Baltimore’s Defense
One of the biggest storylines all offseason in the NFL has been the Vikings QB competition. With Kyler Murray being named the starting QB last week, his performance will be a focus. Kyler Murray will face a defense that presents a completely different challenge than the Giants did in the preseason opener.
Murray reportedly impressed throughout last week’s training camp and played only one series in the Giants game. Kyler finished that drive 2/3 for 10 yards but the offense was able to largely move the ball on the ground before settling for a field goal.
Kyler Murray will not play Saturday against Baltimore, making the joint practices particularly important for his preseason evaluation. The Vikings will get an opportunity to see how Murray handles Baltimore’s pressure packages and getting the ball to his receivers. Can Kyler effectively take the snaps from under center and be effective in Head Coach Kevin O’Connell’s Offense? Can Murray navigate the Baltimore pass rush and be consistent against a Ravens secondary?
Baltimore will counter with players like three-time first-team All-Pro LB Roquan Smith and a secondary that includes S Kyle Hamilton and CB Marlon Humphrey. Both Ravens stars are two-time first-team All-Pros.
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 14: Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after teammate Kyle van Noy #53 scores a touchdown off of an interception during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
2. Justin Jefferson and the Vikings’ Receivers
The Vikings’ wide receivers should receive a major test against Baltimore’s secondary.
Justin Jefferson remains the player teams want to throw double teams at. Can Minnesota draw up schemes to help get Jefferson open and return to form? Meanwhile, on the other side, defenses can’t forget about Jordan Addison, who is in a contract year. Addison is a dynamic receiving threat looking for a huge 2026 season that could lead to a bigger payday in 2027.
Behind them, Minnesota was fortunate to land former 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings. His ability to block and also be a dual threat as a receiver makes him valuable. The camp battle for WR4 and WR5 will be tested with Tai Felton and Myles Price. Price also made an impressive one-handed grab for a touchdown in Saturday’s preseason game against the Giants. are competing for opportunities behind him.
WR6 is one of the most contested position battles on the roster. Wide receivers Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming, and Dillon Bell will need to make an impact on both offense and special teams. Joint practice performance will factor heavily into the decision of whether the Vikings keep 6 wideouts on the roster.
Can Minnesota consistently create separation and make plays against Baltimore’s defensive backs?
GettyEAGAN, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 01: Head coach Kevin O’Connell talks to Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings during Training Camp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on August 01, 2026 in Eagan, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
3. The Rookie Class Gets Tested
The Vikings’ 2026 rookie class will also be under the microscope.
First-round pick Caleb Banks will look to rebound after a underwhelming performace against the Giants Saturday. He and the rest of Minnesota’s young defensive players will get an opportunity to showcase their talents. They get to compete against Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and a talented Ravens offense. Domonique Orange, Jake Golday, and Charles Demmings are all expected to have an impact this season. They will now get their shot against another offense with many weapons.
This is especially important for rookies competing for starting jobs or significant rotational roles. A strong showing against Baltimore could prompt lineup changes on the IDL. Banks and Orange need to show they’re ready to start in Week 1 vs. the Packers. Veterans Levi Drake Rodriguez, Elijah Williams, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins also are vying for valuable playing time.
4. Can the Vikings’ Offensive Line Hold Up?
Baltimore’s defensive front will provide one of the best tests Minnesota’s offensive line has faced during camp.
The Vikings suffered brutal injuries on the offensive line last year. The Vikings drafted a young T/G Caleb Tiernan in the 3rd round, and brought in backup T Ryan Van Demark. The OL has several questions to answer. Can Christian Darrisaw stay healthy? Can Blake Brandel and Kyler Murray figure out issues they have had with the transition with the ball under center? KOC and the Vikings had faith in Brandel and didn’t select a center until the 7th round in C Gavin Gerhardt. Is the OL Coach Frank Smith-installed run-blocking scheme as good as advertised, as we saw vs. the Giants on Sunday?
Pass protection will be especially important with Murray’s mobility. If the Vikings can consistently keep Baltimore’s pass rush away from Murray while also opening running lanes for Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, it would be an encouraging sign heading into the regular season.
5. How Does Brian Flores Handle Lamar Jackson?
Perhaps the most fascinating matchup will be Minnesota’s defense against two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson.
The defense has been going up against Kyler Murray in training camp, but he hasn’t shown or flashed much of that ability. Most of training camp has been focusing on passing out of the pocket and snaps under center. Now the Flores’ defense has to prepare for one of the NFL’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks. Jackson’s ability to extend plays and create yards with his legs forces defenders to maintain discipline on every snap.
For Minnesota’s linebackers and secondary, these practices will provide an opportunity to work on QB spy schemes and on staying disciplined. The Vikings faced Lamar Jackson last season in Minnesota, and contained him for much of the game before letting the game slip away. In that game, they held Jackson to 17-for-29 passing, 176 yards, and 1 TD.
The Vikings also need to identify which young defensive backs can hold up against Baltimore’s receiving threat that includes Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Rashod Bateman.
GettyOWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND – JULY 29: Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson #8 and Tyler Huntley #5 of the Baltimore Ravens participate in a drill on the first day of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on July 29, 2026 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
A Valuable Two Days for Minnesota and Baltimore
The Ravens are entering their first season under head coach Jesse Minter and are also looking to evaluate several young players. The Vikings and Kevin O’Connell hope to see success with Kyler Murray as QB1 in a new offensive scheme. Backup J.J. McCarthy will get his chances too, and may need to hold off veteran QB Carson Wentz for the job.
The scoreboard won’t matter Wednesday or Thursday, but the results do.
What will matter is how Minnesota’s starters, rookies and roster hopefuls respond when the competition becomes more physical. Starting today, the margin for error becomes smaller for those looking to make the 53-man roster.
For the Vikings, these two days could indicate the team’s and players’ potential and will be the most important plays of the entire preseason.
Vikings & Ravens Joint Practices: 5 Things To Watch