The summer is the time for overreaction. So, let’s lean in.

Some Vikings players shined at minicamp. As in, they stood out as being players who looked unusually explosive and active. Putting pads on the fellas and allowing for greater physicality does change the calculus, meaning these assessments need to be understood as being educated guesses (at best). Take them for what they are within the understanding that more evidence — training camp and the preseason — will change opinions.

A Trio of Vikings Players Who Looked Explosive

Player No. 1 — WR Dillon Bell

A gadget guy, perhaps, Dillon Bell looks like somebody who is all gas, no brakes. For good reason, Bell is getting plenty of hype.

The rookie receiver boasts good size and knows how to cut violently. Athletic trainers are going to need more tape to fix up the broken ankles of the poor defensive backs trying to slow Bell down.

Essentially, get the ball in his hands in green grass to let him do good things. Could he be a weapon on bubble screens? What about jet sweeps? Basically, find creative ways to put the ball into his hands to contribute toward keeping the other side off balance.

What’s going to make Bell undeniable is if he proves to be a weapon as a kickoff returner. Doing so will mean he makes the team.

Player No. 2 — DT Levi Drake Rodriguez

The DT brings a glorious degree of chaos to the line of scrimmage.

Quite possibly, Ryan Nielsen is going to push him to a new level. He’s getting into his third NFL season, often the time when players really take a step. He always had an uphill climb due to playing for a smaller school and being a touch light to play defensive tackle. Plus, he got scooped up in the 7th, meaning nothing was guaranteed.

What’s evident, though, is that he has a high-level of compete. He moves with violent urgency, the kind of effort that can’t be taught. In some ways, it’s reminiscent of the Everson Griffen motor. I think Rodriguez is a starter in 2026.

Player No. 3 — CB Chuck Demmings

Chuck Demmings doesn’t lack for personality. Nor does he seem to lack for confidence.

Going from small-school corner to NFL corner is quite the leap. Watching him means seeing somebody who doesn’t appear overwhelmed. Demmings will get over top of a receiver’s toes before the snap, clearly signalling a willingness to take on the pass catcher in a man-to-man fashion. Demmings seems to be quite willing to risk getting beat since he trusts his physicality and speed.

Best guess is that the 5th-Round rookie is the CB4, but he may carve out a role for himself.

Editor’s Note: Thanks for following along this week, folks. Plenty more content to come on VT and P/PTSD. Feel free to follow along on social media, too.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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USA vs Paraguay Live Updates, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D: After a breathtaking opening ceremony, the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group D match between USA and Paraguay begins. The two sides are familiar foes, with Mauricio Pochettino’s men securing a 2-1 victory in Chester, Pennsylvania, in November. Paraguay, who are making their first World Cup appearance since South Africa 2010, qualified for the global finals with a sixth-place finish in CONMEBOL qualifying, registering some eye-catching victories along the way. History was made when the USA and Paraguay locked horns at the inaugural global showpiece in 1930, the only occasion the two sides have met in the global finals. (MATCH CENTRE)

Here are the Live Score and Updates of USA vs Paraguay FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D:

Pulisic, McKennie and Balogun provide pace, creativity and goals, and the Americans will hope to settle nerves by striking early against Paraguay.

However, the backline has struggled for consistency, with goalkeeper Matt Freese expected to face a stern examination. The Americans have managed only one clean sheet in their last 13 matches and have conceded 11 goals in their previous four outings, raising questions over their ability to withstand pressure against stronger opponents later in the competition.

Pochettino has sought to improve defensive organisation since taking charge, but the opening match will provide an early indication of whether progress has been made. A convincing performance could ease concerns and provide a confidence boost for the remainder of the group stage.

Official lineups for USA-Paraguay:

United States: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, ⁠Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Tyler ⁠Adams, Weston ​McKennie, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun

Paraguay: Orlando Gill, Omar Alderete, Juan Jose Caceres, ​Junior Alonso, Gustavo Gomez, Diego Gomez, Miguel Almiron, Andres Cubas, Damian Bobadilla, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso

For the first time since 1994, the United States hosts the World Cup. On Friday at 9:30pm ET, Team USA takes on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for their Group D opener.

The USMNT and Paraguay have faced each other three times in competitive matches, with the US holding a 2-1 record. Their most recent encounter came during World Cup qualifying in 2021, when the Americans won 3-0 in Columbus. Paraguay, ranked 69th in the world, will be looking to pull off an upset on American soil.

The US enters the tournament with growing momentum, having won their last four friendlies and boasting a squad that blends experienced European-based talent with emerging MLS stars. Coach Gregg Berhalter has overseen a team seeking to prove that American soccer belongs on the world stage. Over 70,000 supporters are expected to fill SoFi Stadium for what promises to be a charged atmosphere – a test of whether US.soccer can capture the nation’s imagination.

The match will be preceded by a 15-minute opening ceremony featuring American pop icon Katy Perry and performances celebrating the host nation’s diversity and soccer culture.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)

Every UFC Freedom 250 fighter, including Alex Pereira and Josh Hokit, will visit the Lincoln Memorial for Friday’s press conference

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Jun 12, 2026

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Nigeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, have stepped up their preparations for the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-20 Boys Championship with an unbeaten run in a series of friendly matches in Abuja.

The seven-time African champions have played three warm-up games since opening camp and have recorded two wins and one draw. They have scored nine goals and are yet to concede.

The Flying Eagles started their friendly programme with a comfortable 4-0 win over SiaOne Football Academy before following it up with an impressive 5-0 victory against AAFC.

However, they were held to a goalless draw by Galadima FC on Thursday in a more competitive contest.

Forward Abdul Muiz Adeleke has been one of the team’s standout players during the build-up to the tournament. The youngster has scored four goals in three matches and has shown good form in front of goal.

The team’s preparations began on May 16 in Abuja, with head coach Abdu Maikaba inviting 35 players to camp as he works towards selecting a strong squad for the competition.

The 2026 WAFU Zone B U-20 Boys Championship will take place in Côte d’Ivoire from July 26 to August 9. The tournament will also serve as a qualifying competition for the next U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria will compete against hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, Togo and Benin Republic in what promises to be a tough and exciting championship.

With less than two months to the start of the tournament, the Flying Eagles appear to be building confidence and momentum as they aim for regional success and a place at the continental competition.

The Vikings’ search for a promising WR4 is ongoing.

At the top of the list of contenders is Tai Felton. The sophomore boasts elite speed and great length, meaning he offers obvious upside as a burner to take the top off the defense. Where he struggled in minicamp, though, was with securing the ball. Eliminating drops is hugely important for him.

Otherwise, there has been some optimism for what Myles Price can do since he was so impressive as a punt returner in 2025. Likewise, Dillon Bell is creating plenty of fans due to his ability to shake corners out of their cleats.

Somebody who’s missing in the above consideration is Jeshaun Jones, who his entering his third season as a Viking.

The Vikings’ Search for a WR4 Brings Jeshaun Jones into Mix

At the risk of venturing into the obvious, the Vikings’ top trio of receivers consists of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. Only some form of extenuating circumstances — injury, suspension, and so on — will dislodge these three from the top three spots. Jefferson, Addison, and Jennings, that’s the order to remember.

Boasting such an elite trio means not having too many targets left over for others. That’s especially true upon considering the presence of T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, and Aaron Jones to siphon off even more targets. Still, there’s no such thing as too much weaponry.

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When I asked him who stood out, Jefferson offered a mostly upbeat, vague answer. Essentially everybody has been working and improving, Jefferson said.

He did, however, identify a pair of names: Tai and J2. He’s referring to Tai Felton and Jeshaun Jones.

Ironically, the NFL teammates were college teammates, both putting in work in Maryland. Jones arrived in the Twin Cities as an undrafted add in 2024. Felton got to Minnesota as a 3rd-Round selection in 2025. Neither have fully established careers.

To my eye, Felton had a tough few days of minicamp. His speed is evident, capable of burning it down the field to create separation. It’s possible that he’s trying too hard, though. A couple occasions involved him dropping balls that were put onto him.

Jones therefore has an opportunity. Felton’s rookie season was modest on offense. If he has a poor training camp — far from a guarantee; ideally, he comes back and thrives — then Jones has a window to assert himself.

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Jones spent 2024 on the practice squad. In 2025, he occupied the same spot apart from a late-season bump to the active roster. Jones finished off with a pair of punt returns for 5 yards. Do note, though, that he has previously done damage in the preseason, creating optimism about some potential to put up production in more meaningful games.

Furthermore, Jones earned $235,000 in guaranteed money in his UDFA contract (OTC). That’s a beefy commitment, suggesting the Vikings were serious about bringing him to town. Maybe that upside that Minnesota saw in him turns into a larger job in 2026. After all, Justin Jefferson has noticed some improvement.

Jeshaun Jones, 26, comes in at 6’1″ and 190 pounds. Proving to be capable of catching a pass or two, blocking his tail off, and then helping on specials will be the keys to make the final roster.

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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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