The Vikings may be without their leading receiver on Sunday as Adam Thielen sidelined since being placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list on Monday.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who formerly covered the Vikings for the Pioneer Press, Thielen “is not expected to play.” Fowler tweeted that “barring a change this weekend, he’s bracing to have to sit.
Vikings WR Adam Thielen is not expected to play Sunday against the Panthers, per source. He remains on the Covid-19 list, and barring a change this weekend, he's bracing to have to sit. Thielen leads the league with 11 TDs.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 27, 2020
Asked Friday if Thielen will play, head coach Mike Zimmer was noncommittal: “We’ll just have to see.”
The Vikings have not announced if Thielen tested positive for COVID-19 or if he was exposed to someone infected with the disease that has killed 3,476 Minnesotans, including a single-day record 101 deaths reported by the state health department on Friday.
Thielen leads the NFL with 11 touchdown receptions, and without him the Vikings would have to rely heavily on star rookie receiver Justin Jefferson, but then also have lesser-used receivers step up, including Chad Beebe and Bisi Johnson.
Losing Thielen may also force the Vikings to utilize tight ends Irv Smith Jr. and Kyle Rudolph more in the passing game.
