Vikings Hope to Get Jalen Nailor Back for Debut
The Minnesota Vikings are optimistic about wide receiver Jalen Nailor’s possible participation in the Week 1 game against the Chicago Bears next Monday night.
Nailor suffered a left hand injury on August 14 during training camp and hasn’t played since. At the time, coach Kevin O’Connell described Nailor’s injury as “week-to-week”.
Nailor’s absence, along with the three-game suspension of receiver Jordan Addison, prompted the Vikings to acquire receiver Adam Thielen via a trade.
Thielen will likely play a prominent role, and possibly start, alongside Justin Jefferson against the Bears. Nailor’s availability would give the Vikings a reliable set of veterans for their three-receiver formations.
The other receivers on the Vikings’ 53-player roster are both rookies: Tai Felton, a third-round pick from Maryland, and Myles Price, an undrafted free agent from Indiana. The Vikings lost receiver Rondale Moore for the season during the preseason due to a left knee injury.
Nailor caught a career-high 28 passes for 414 yards and six touchdowns last season. His contract will expire after the 2025 season, at which point he will be an unrestricted free agent.
