EAGAN, Minnesota — At TCO Performance Center, the sight of No. 86 snatching passes over the middle has become increasingly common. Yet for those unfamiliar, Gavin Bartholomew is not a well-known name. The tight end missed his entire rookie campaign after a herniated disc landed him on injured reserve. "I haven't played football in a while," Bartholomew said after a strong practice. "It feels really good to be back out here." Unable to suit up last year, he faced his first serious injury and struggled to cope. "Just coming in as a rookie, I had so many expectations for myself, and I missed all that time," he said. "I felt like I didn't really earn the respect of my teammates last year, so I feel like I've got a lot to prove this year." Now fully healthy, Bartholomew is making up for lost time. Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips is impressed. "It's been fun to watch Gavin play football," Phillips said. "We had some excitement for what he could be coming out of college. We saw some explosiveness and athleticism in the pass game. We also saw a physical nature in the run game." Bartholomew has displayed his full repertoire, showing reliability as a receiver and toughness in the trenches. "I'm trying to show the coaches that I can do everything," Bartholomew said. "I want to bring it all to the table." If he continues this pace, he not only secures a roster spot but could earn playing time behind tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver. Hockenson, a veteran, has taken notice. "It's been fun to watch him and interact with him," Hockenson said. "He's a sponge. He's trying to absorb as much information as he can. He's always asking questions, and that's cool for me getting older in my career and being a little more experienced." Beyond Bartholomew, Day 8 of training camp brought other developments. Quarterbacks Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy had solid but not spectacular days. Murray, in limited opportunities, completed 4 of 4 passes in 11-on-11 drills, including a sharp throw to Tai Felton that drew cheers. In 7-on-7, he connected with Dontae Fleming. Murray looked sharp and decisive. McCarthy, meanwhile, handed off frequently and had few chances to showcase his arm. He completed clean passes to Myles Price and Justin Jefferson in 1-on-1 drills but also misfired on one throw. It was a workmanlike performance without flash. Another notable was Jamal Adams, who switched to jersey number 32 and played safety after spending most of camp at linebacker. Adams, recovering from a quad tear in 2022, is open to any role. The practice also emphasized kicking and punting. Will Reichard went 4 for 5 on field goals, hitting from 47, 46, 43, and 48 yards, but his 58-yard attempt bounced off the crossbar. Hockenson made a catch from McCarthy and delivered a physical hand to a defender's face during 11-on-11. Jordan Mason scored a touchdown, drawing a roar from the crowd. The best quote came from Hockenson: "I had really good vets coming into the league. I've really enjoyed being that for them," referring to mentoring younger players. On the injury front, receiver Jordan Addison's absence due to a jammed thumb is not a long-term concern. He continues working off to the side. The Vikings will hold a normal practice Saturday followed by the annual night practice Sunday. Bartholomew's story is one of resilience and determination, and his progress could be a bright spot for the Vikings this season.