Vikings WR Jalen Nailor gets unexpected injury update before Week 1 vs. Bears originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Minnesota Vikings have been very worried about the depth of their receiver corps.
Advertisement
Behind Justin Jefferson, who is himself recovering from a hamstring issue, Jordan Addison is suspended for three games. Behind him is Jalen Nailor, who has been dealing with a left knee injury.
The Vikings traded for Adam Thielen in part to help provide some relief at WR.
As it turns out, Nailor might be available in Week 1 against the Bears, too.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reports that the Vikings are “optimistic” about Nailor’s availability to play Chicago on Monday Night Football.
MORE:Â Derrick Henry reveals his retirement plans
Nailor initially hurt his left hand on Aug. 14 and hasn’t been “seen on the field since,” writes Seifert. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell called the injury “week to week.”
Advertisement
The expected WR3, Nailor could be elevated if he’s ready for a full snap load in Addison’s absence.
Nailor is entering a contract year. He’s coming off a career-best season in which he caught 28 passes for 414 yards and six touchdowns.
MORE:Â Devin Hester Jr. is great at returns, but he isn’t the Bears’ Hall of Famer’s son
He’s part of a wide receiver room that has to help second-year QB J.J. McCarthy, a first-year starter, hit his stride to keep pace in a loaded NFC North Division.
And if Nailor can be out there right from the start of the season, it’ll be a big boost to what the Vikings can accomplish.
Advertisement
MORE NFL NEWS: