Vikings Playmaker Will Probably Get His Big Chance on Sunday
All offseason, leading up to the edge of training camp, Minnesota Vikings fans wondered, “What are they doing at WR3? or “Who will play WR3?”
Vikings Playmaker Will Probably Get His Big Chance on Sunday
The franchise showcased Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at the top of the ticket, but after that, the resolution remained mysterious. However, at training camp and in the preseason, veteran pass-catcher Jalen Nailor emerged as the WR3 — and now the man will have a chance to bust out this Sunday.
WR2 Jordan Addison injured his ankle — a month after hurting the other ankle — and may not play at home versus the mighty San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Tight end T.J. Hockenson is already out because of a torn ACL recovery, leaving “Jefferson and the guys” as quarterback Sam Darnold’s only receivers.
Put plainly, this is Nailor’s chance.
Nailor dazzled at training camp, and when afforded playing time in the preseason games, he shined.
All along, the Vikings coaching staff knew Nailor would be the WR3; it’s just that his health was a bit suspect for fans to take the plunge. The speedster also caught a touchdown pass in a Week 1 triumph over the New York Giants, so Nailor has already laid the framework for regular season production.
It’s just that his performance will be damn near mandatory this weekend if the Vikings wish to defeat the 49ers.
Minnesota is a six-point underdog, a point spread that could shrink a tad if Christian McCaffrey cannot play. In that vein, Addison’s absence and McCaffrey’s trend to sit another game cancel out to a degree. Still, Minnesota will require the utmost production from its pass-catchers unless new running back Aaron Jones fires off a signature performance.
Two months ago, Nailor spoke about his comfort in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. “I felt real comfortable with the offense. Going into the third year, I’m just trying to be as versatile as I can,” he told reporters in late July. “I definitely feel I can fit into that role (WR3) well. I can play both inside and outside really well, moving around in the offense, you know, so just having that, the mindset is to just be able to play all three positions. I feel like that gives me a good bump.”
Nailor recorded 9 receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown in his rookie campaign (2022), along with some fantastic highlights to satiate fans’ appetites for his long-term trajectory. Incidentally, Nailor did most of his damage in “garbage time” that season, and various injuries totally undid his sophomore season.
Year No. 3, however, can be different, especially with the golden opportunity to thrive as WR2 this weekend.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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