In an exciting practice session on Monday, the Minnesota Vikings welcomed their newest addition, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, while also witnessing the impressive performance of defensive player Lewis Cine. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell addressed various topics during a media briefing, including Gilmore's readiness for the upcoming season, the potential return of cornerback Shaq Griffin, and the intriguing remarks made by Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa about their former coach, Brian Flores.

After officially signing a one-year deal with the Vikings on Monday, five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore made his practice debut. Coach O'Connell expressed confidence in Gilmore's abilities, stating that while he is mentally prepared for the season opener against the Giants on September 8, the physical aspects will be carefully managed throughout the week. O'Connell mentioned that Gilmore's participation in the final preseason game against the Eagles is yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, the Vikings are optimistic about the potential return of cornerback Shaq Griffin, who is currently recovering from an injury. Coach O'Connell stated that Griffin could resume practice later in the week, and his progress will be monitored leading up to the season opener. Griffin's return would provide a significant boost to the Vikings' defense.

However, when asked about Tua Tagovailoa's critical remarks about Coach Flores, O'Connell opted not to comment on statements made by players from other teams. He emphasized the strong relationships and positive experiences that players within the Vikings organization have had with Coach Flores, mentioning the players' satisfaction with playing under him, as well as his own enjoyment of working with the coach on a daily basis. O'Connell chose to leave the matter at that, refraining from engaging in further discussion on the topic.

In contrast, the standout performance of Lewis Cine in the Vikings' recent preseason victory over the Cleveland Browns has cast a positive light on Coach Flores. Cine, who faced injury challenges in his first two seasons in the NFL, displayed remarkable improvement on the field, adapting to changes in defensive schemes implemented by Coach Flores. Coach O'Connell commended Cine's dedication and relentless pursuit of improvement, with his solid performance against Cleveland serving as a testament to his hard work.

Looking ahead, the Vikings are gearing up for another week of preparation as they approach their final preseason game against the Eagles on Saturday at noon. Following the game, they will finalize their 53-man roster on August 27, making crucial decisions regarding the team composition for the upcoming season.

As the Vikings continue their preseason preparations, the arrival of Stephon Gilmore and the impressive emergence of Lewis Cine exemplify the dynamic talent within the team's defense. While Tua Tagovailoa's comments remain unanswered, the focus remains on the team's collective efforts to make a strong start in the upcoming season.