Minnesota Vikings

Vikings make CB Xavier Rhodes wear boxing gloves at practice

Published Oct. 13, 2015 9:54 a.m. ET

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Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes is getting a little grabby. He has incurred seven penalties so far this season, according to Pro Football Reference (PFR), including three for pass interference and three for defensive holding.

Rhodes' infractions have cost the Vikings a total of 65 yards and several first downs, per PFR. That simply cannot go on.

So, in an effort to cut down on grabbing penalties in coverage, Vikings secondary coach Jerry Gray had Rhodes wear boxing gloves at practice, according to Andrew Krammer of 15000ESPN.com.

#Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes wore boxing gloves during a portion of today's DB drills. "Now you can't grab" -- position coach Jerry Gray
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) October 12, 2015

The bulky gloves should discourage Rhodes from grabbing ahold of his opponent. If the inconvenience isn't enough, the embarrassment of being forced to wear boxing gloves at practice should motivate the third-year corner and former first-round draft pick clean up his play.