It's a small sample size but for one game, the Minnesota Vikings had no reason to be concerned about their kicker.
Even with coach Mike Zimmer's decision to not dress 31 players, pretty much everything else was troubling.
Only one of the team's 22 projected starters, defensive end Stephen Weatherly, played in Saturday's 33-6 loss to the Denver Broncos at U.S. Bank Stadium. And Weatherly extended a Denver drive when jumped offsides on an incomplete pass on a third-and-four play.
Here's the list of the players who did not dress for the Vikings Saturday:
But at least the kicker didn't miss.
In Zimmer's first seven seasons as coach of the Vikings, they've had Kai Forbath, Blair Walsh, Daniel Carlson and Dan Bailey as their kicker.
The Vikings currently have two kickers on their roster, veteran journeyman Greg Joseph, who has been with six teams in four seasons; and Riley Patterson, an undrafted rookie from Memphis.
Joseph played in 14 games for Cleveland in 2018, setting Browns rookie records for points (76) and field goals (17). Four of those field goals came vs. Baltimore on Oct. 7, including a 37-yarder with two seconds remaining in overtime in a 12-9 Cleveland victory.
He played in two games for Tennessee in 2019 and was on the practice squad for Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay last season. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by Miami in 2018 and was on Carolina's practice squad in 2019.
Joseph got all of what limited work there was Saturday as he made both of his field-goal attempts, from 34 and 25 yards.
The future may be uncertain for Joseph's holder on those kicks, veteran punter Britton Colquitt. He has been with the Vikings for two seasons after three in Cleveland and six in Denver, where he was on the Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50.
Colquitt averaged 40.5 yards per punt on four attempts. He had a long punt of 48 yards and another that went 44 yards after a fortunate roll. The others were 35 and 36 yards.
"Three very poor punts," Zimmer said at his postgame press conference.
Zimmer was asked if it was just a bad day for Colquitt or reason for concern and may have put Colquitt's future on notice by saying "It's cause for concern."
Quarterbacks
Starter Kirk Cousins didn't play, leaving Jake Browning and Kellen Mond to split Saturday's playing time as they compete for the No. 2 spot.
Browning started Saturday’s game and was 5-for-10 for 31 yards. His last pass was intercepted by Pat Surtain II, who returned it 30 yards for a touchdown.
"It wasn’t as good as it has been," Zimmer said of Browning’s play. "The interception for the touchdown was thrown behind (wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette). I just didn’t feel like he was as sharp as he’s been in the past maybe week."
Browning did call Saturday a "missed opportunity" but added he thinks he can earn the backup role.
"I still feel that I can play at a high level and be a legit backup this year," he said. "Keep playing well and not let one bad outing and bad throw derail all that but definitely come back ready to fight."
Mond relieved Browning in the second quarter and was just 6-16 passes for 53 yards. He ran the ball five times for 25 yards.
"He was OK," Zimmer said of Mond. "He used his legs a couple times. He just has to get moving a little bit quicker. Everything is in slow motion with him and he’s going to have to improve that."
Zimmer wants Mond needs to be more vocal on the field.
"He’s kind of a laid-back guy, doesn’t really say a whole bunch," Zimmer said. "I think he’s got to kind of get out of his shell a little bit. If you’re going to be the quarterback, you’ve got to do those things."
However, Mond didn’t see that as an issue.
"I don’t necessarily know what he means by that on my personality," Mond said. "I thought I did a good job in the huddle and getting certain guys going. There’s really no excuses. It’s still my first game. I got my feet wet, and I just have to go play and react and just have fun."
Former Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley may no longer be a serious candidate for the backup role. He didn’t play Saturday after missing the last two practices with an injury. Early in training camp he was on the Covid-19 list for five days.
100 for Rose
With Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison held out and rookie Kene Nwangwu of Iowa State injured, A.J. Rose Jr., an undrafted rookie running back from Kentucky, wound up getting most of the touches for the Vikings.
Rose carried the ball 25 times for 100 yards. He also caught one pass for a team-high 18 yards.
"I didn't see the 25 carries coming," Rose said. "The opportunity presented itself and you have to make the most of it. I believe I made plays when my number was called."
Loudest cheer
The Vikings announced that 66,028 tickets were distributed for Saturday's game although the stadium was only about half full.
The loudest cheer of the day came when former Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater entered the game in the second quarter.
Bridgewater was 7-8 passing for 74 yards, including a four-yard touchdown pass to Trinity Benson.
He's competing for Denver's starting job with Drew Lock, who was 5-7 passing for 151 yards and two touchdowns, 80 yards to KJ Hamler and he also threw a four-yard TD pass to Benson. Neither threw an interception.
Worst loss
Saturday's loss was the worst preseason loss for the Vikings in Zimmer’s eight seasons in Minnesota. The Vikings lost 30-9 to Miami on Aug. 31, 2017.
Zimmer's preseason record is now 20-6.
Next up
The Vikings host Indianapolis at 7 p.m. next Saturday. The Colts play their first preseason game Sunday vs. Carolina.