Stefon Diggs and Xavier Rhodes were absent from Minnesota Vikings practice on Wednesday due to disciplinary reasons, coach Mike Zimmer said.
Zimmer said before clarifying that their absences were not related to injury.
Mike Zimmer not pleased after Stefon Diggs, Xavier Rhodes miss practice for non-injury related reason. #NFL https://t.co/X6RRhZKRvs pic.twitter.com/7Jrepxtq4R
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) August 9, 2018
Diggs and Rhodes began jawing in practice on Tuesday when Diggs caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins and proceeded to launch the ball into the stands. Rhodes stayed on the field for several reps after the fact and continued playing at corner with the third-team defense.
The heated nature of their interaction carried over into Wednesday morning’s walk-through before Zimmer decided to make them sit out.
“Just undisciplined stuff,” Zimmer said.
The Vikings have been practicing as a full team since July 28th. On Saturday, Minnesota plays its first preseason game in Denver.
“It’s that time of camp to go play against somebody else,” offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said. “The defense knows our calls, we know their calls. It’s getting a little chippy out there. It’s time to take some chipiness out on somebody else.”
Looks like some people weren’t too pleased that Diggs was absent from practice.
How absolutely shitty is it to sit in line for 7 hours, half in the hot sun to get an autograph from @stefondiggs only to find out afterwards that he DITCHED halfway through practice and you get nothing? I’m so sorry for everyone who waited. Including my dad. I’m beyond pissed.
— Autumn Larson (@A_Larson14) August 8, 2018
@stefondiggs Really let us die hard fans down today.Been in line since 6am only to find out at 11:30 u won’t be signing#heartbroken pic.twitter.com/E3fAwbJmXW
— Scott Erickson (@mn_erickson) August 8, 2018