One WR Option for Vikings Just Vanished
If you’re hoping the Minnesota Vikings add an extra wide receiver to their depth chart with the regular season 3.5 weeks away, cross former Viking Trishton Jackson off the list.
The Minnesota Vikings have one less WR option heading into the 2025 season after recent roster news. Here’s what it means for Minnesota’s plans and depth chart.
Jackson, before this week, faced a roster bubble situation with the Arizona Cardinals, but the mystery was solved on Tuesday when his current employer tossed him on injured reserve.
Even if the Cardinals cut ties with Jackson using an injury settlement, the man evidently has a bad thumb.
Former Vikings WR Off the Table for Immediate Reunion
Jackson will hope to heal quickly and return.
WR Trishton Jackson to IR
Jackson, a 27-year-old who spent four seasons with the Vikings from 2021 to 2024, mostly on the practice squad, was ruled out of the Cardinals’ activities this week.
NBC Sports‘ Myles Simmons wrote, “The Cardinals have made a pair of moves at receiver. Arizona announced on Tuesday that the club has signed Kelly Akharaiyi and placed Trishton Jackson on injured reserve. Jackson departed Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Chiefs with a thumb injury.”
“Akharaiyi joins the club as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State. He had a tryout with the Cardinals on Monday after a pair of short stints with the Bills this offseason.”
Jackson could hit the open market on an injury settlement, but that doesn’t mean his thumb will be healed by the time the Vikings might need him.
A Semi-Popular WR Option for the Vikings
Minnesota lost WR4-WR5 Rondale Moore last weekend during its first preseason game. Moore fielded a punt, experienced an awkward tackle, and is now on injured reserve — like Jackson — for the remainder of the season with a bad knee.
So, Vikings fans began spitballing replacement options, especially with Jordan Addison’s three-game suspension on the way, and Jackson’s name bubbled to the top.
Mainly a practice squader from 2021 to 2024 in Minnesota, Jackson maintained a bit of a cult following in Minnesota because he always produced at training camp and in the preseason.
A Tough Blow for Jackson
It’s worth noting that the injury is particularly rough for Jackson. He may or may not have made the Cardinals’ active roster in two weeks, ruled out completely after Tuesday’s IR news.
Jackson has appeared in nine career regular season games, all with the Vikings, tabulating 2 receptions for 9 yards in his career, in addition to a fantastic two-point conversion reception against the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 — the Joshua Dobbs game.
He’s never enjoyed much staying power on an active roster, and in theory, 2025 might’ve been different. Now, he faces recovery from an injured thumb.
Other WR Alternatives for Minnesota
After scratching Jackson off the list for Minnesota, the team has a few options at wide receiver. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can “do nothing,” promoting players like Lucky Jackson, Tai Felton, Silas Bolden, and Jeshaun Jones from within.
He can scan free agency for a wideout like Gabe Davis, Nelson Agholor, Odell Beckham Jr, Tyler Boyd, or Amari Cooper. A trade for a man like Adam Thielen or Trey Palmer might make sense.
Or — Adofo-Mensah can be patient, exploring the post-roster-trimdown market for wide receivers in 13 days. Dozens will be available.
SI.com on the Cardinals’ New Guy
SI.com‘s Richie Bradshaw profiled Kelly Akharaiyi, a relatively unknown rookie on tap as Jackson’s replacement.
He remarked, “Across three seasons of Division I football, Akharaiyi totaled 1,699 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. In 2023, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark at UTEP, averaging an impressive 21.5 yards per reception. In his lone season as a Bulldog, he added 391 yards to his résumé.”
“At 6’0, 201 pounds, Akharaiyi brings big-play potential to Arizona’s passing game—something the team has been sorely lacking. With top-end speed to stretch the field, he offers the potential to become the Cardinals’ designated deep threat. Currently, the team doesn’t have a receiver clearly filling that role, giving Akharaiyi a prime opportunity to stand out.”
The Cardinals’ offense ranked 10th per EPA/Play last season.
Bradshaw continued, “If he can showcase his ability as a vertical threat, he’ll have a leg up on the rest of the receiver group. Most of Arizona’s current pass-catchers thrive in the intermediate game, meaning Akharaiyi faces relatively little competition for the deep-ball role. All he needs to prove is that he can handle the responsibility.”
“The Cardinals have two preseason games remaining—on the road against the Denver Broncos and at home against the Las Vegas Raiders. These matchups will be pivotal for Akharaiyi’s chances to make the 53-man roster. He has as good a shot as anyone to stick with the team, and if he delivers, the Cardinals may have found themselves a true vertical playmaker.”
Folks should know in the coming days if Jackson is waived with an injury settlement, which would allow him to sign elsewhere, or if he’s truly out-out for the 2025 campaign. The Cardinals play the Denver Broncos in Preseason Game No. 2 on Saturday.
You must be logged in to post a comment.