The Vikings will be a little shorthanded at the wide receiver position when they meet up with the Broncos on Sunday afternoon in Denver.
They have ruled Charles Johnson out for the game with a rib injury, and while Jarius Wright was a limited participant in practice on Friday, he remains questionable with a hand injury.
That means there could be more opportunities for Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen and Cordarrelle Patterson.
“I think for the young guys it’s good they start to get in the mix a little bit, and not just run on the show team,” said Zimmer during his Friday press conference. “They start to get excited they about the opportunities to play and I think the other thing is they have to understand they have to stay ready because you never know.”
Adam Thielen or Cordarrelle Patterson will be counted on to play a bigger role. How much depends on if Jarius Wright can play.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) October 2, 2015
Patterson has been mostly used as a kick returner this season, playing just 16 offensive snaps through three games. Thielen has played on just 30 offensive snaps and Diggs hasn’t been active for a game yet.
“I don’t know how much more I need to prove,” Patterson told the Star Tribune Friday. “It’s always tough for a player sitting on the sideline. You always want to be out there, but when your time called, you just got to be ready.”
Patterson has just one catch for one yard so far, but says if his number is called, he’ll be ready.
“I think he has an opportunity, yeah,” said Zimmer. “I think he’s been doing a good job all along, he just has to go out there and do it, there may be some more opportunities for him this week we’ll see.”
