Kevin O'Connell speaks at Khyree Jackson's funeral: 'I hope I did Khyree justice'

EAGAN, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings practiced in front of fans at training camp for the first time on Saturday as part of Back Together Weekend across the NFL.

But before they could practice "Skol" chants with spectators packing the bleachers, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones stepped away from Friday's workout to attend Khyree Jackson's funeral. The rookie draft pick was killed in a car crash in Maryland on July 6. The Vikings had high hopes for Jackson after taking him in the third round out of Oregon.

"A small group of us had a very somber day down in Maryland. Just felt it was very important for the group of us that were there to have a presence and get a chance to personally spend some time with Khyree’s family," O’Connell said. "Nothing changes the fact about the tragedy that it was."

The driver of the vehicle who hit Jackson and two of his high school teammates was allegedly impaired at the time of the crash. O’Connell said Jackson’s family will come to training camp to attend a practice once those details can be finalized.

"I just hope I did Khyree justice"

Once plans were finalized that Vikings’ staff would attend Jackson’s service, the family asked O’Connell to be one of the speakers.

"It was quite honestly an honor with that many family and folks that Khyree and Isaiah Hazel impacted, with it being a joint funeral. Incredibly sad day and somber, that’s my first time doing something like that," O’Connell said. "Easy to share messages and thoughts that you truly do feel and believe, but it didn’t help make it any easier in that setting. I just hope I did Khyree justice."

Jalen Nailor shines on Day 4 at training camp

Day 4 of training camp at TCO Performance Center was the first day for fans, and Jalen Nailor put on a show. Nailor had three touchdown catches during a low red zone 7-on-7 situation. One was a leaping grab from J.J. McCarthy in the back corner of the end zone at the pylon. Nailor is one of several battling for the No. 3 wide receiver spot, and had a big day.

Sam Darnold and McCarthy both had their ups and downs Saturday. McCarthy threw multiple touchdowns in red zone situations, but also threw an interception to Theo Jackson. Darnold had two red zone touchdowns and hit Jordan Addison on a 40-plus yard pass, but was also intercepted by Harrison Smith.

Ty Chandler had at least two long runs, and Aaron Jones made multiple catches out of the backfield.

There was a kicker competition at the end of Saturday's practice. Rookie Will Reichard, a sixth round pick out of Alabama, was a perfect 5-for-5 with his longest make from 48 yards out. John Parker Romo was 3-fo-4.

‘The process is the progress’

Before Saturday’s practice, O’Connell explained a comment that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy has consistently made to him during training camp: "The process is the progress."

"J.J. did his best to attempt to reflect some of my words. Not exactly how I said it. The exact way I said it is progress is the process. If it was the process is progress, that sounds awfully like results over process to me," O’Connell said. "The point of it is there’s no tangible scoreboard on the wall for me to be able to show the team this is how much better we got or did not get today."

So in other words, the focus is on the process at training camp. McCarthy has been steady early on, hitting Jalen Nailor for a long touchdown during Thursday’s workout.