-2.4 C
New York
Friday, December 22, 2023

Adam Thielen’s Season-Ending Ankle Injury Delivers a Crushing Blow to the Minnesota Vikings’ Already Dwindling Playoff Hopes

The Minnesota Vikings were riding high in the NFC leading up to their Week 17 matchup against divisional rival Detroit. After beating a few teams near the bottom of their division, they looked like an unstoppable force as they cruised towards playoff inclusion. Then came one hit by Lions defensive end Frank Ragnow that left Vikings WR Adam Thielen with an injured ankle and kicked off what would be a tumultuous season for Minnesota football fans

The “minnesota vikings record” is a crushing blow to the Minnesota Vikings’ already dwindling playoff hopes. The team has lost their last six games, and are now sitting at 5-8.

The Minnesota Vikings are on the outside looking in at the NFC playoffs, but they aren’t out yet. However, the team’s hopes of making the playoffs may be jeopardized by the current injury report. Adam Thielen, the Vikings’ wide receiver, sustained a season-ending injury that will keep him out of the playoffs (if the Vikings even make it).

Adam Thielen has been put on injured reserve by the Vikings.

Vikings trainers help WR Adam Thielen off the field after an injury

Vikings trainers help WR Adam Thielen off the field after an injury After sustaining an injury against the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen walks off the field in anguish | Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Adam Thielen, the veteran wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, has been put on injured reserve. Thielen had season-ending surgery on his left ankle, according to ESPN.

In the Week 13 defeat to the Detroit Lions, the two-time Pro Bowler sustained an ankle injury. In Week 16, the Vikings were ecstatic to see him back on the field against the Los Angeles Rams. After registering three catches for 40 yards, he re-injured the same ankle.

Thielen and Justin Jefferson, when healthy, create one of the NFL’s most dangerous wide receiving duos. Over the last several seasons, the 31-year-old has been a picture of consistency in Minnesota. This club will sorely miss his contributions as the season progresses.

Adam Thielen has 67 catches for 726 yards and 10 touchdowns in his sixth NFL season.

Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson are under pressure as a result of Thielen’s absence.

*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden} html,bodyheight:100% img,spanposition:absolute;width:100% ;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyhe spanheight:1.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/1.5 sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow><span>▶</span>

The Minnesota Vikings must regroup and find out how to win without Adam Thielen now that he has been ruled out for the duration of the 2021 season.

Kirk Cousins is enjoying one of his greatest statistical seasons as a quarterback in the NFL. Nonetheless, he recognizes the significance of Thielen’s presence on the field.

Cousins added, “Adam was fighting through an injury and demonstrating his toughness by playing against the Rams.” “However, we won’t have him the rest of the way.” We just need to ask a little bit more of some of our other receivers and give some of our younger guys a chance to play and show what they’re capable of.”

Justin Jefferson has already shown to be a valuable contributor to the Vikings’ offense. The second-year wide receiver has avoided the sophomore slump and has even improved his game.

Through 15 games, Jefferson has caught 97 receptions for 1,451 yards and nine touchdowns. He was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl and will need to continue to perform at a high level to help this squad finish strong.

Young receivers K.J. Osborn and Ihmir Smith-Marsette, as well as tight end Tyler Conklin, will be needed to assist Mike Zimmer replace the vacuum left by Adam Thielen.

Despite this, Cousins has Jefferson and Dalvin Cook at his disposal. He must perform well in the next two games if the Vikings are to have a chance to make the playoffs.

Minnesota must win the rest of the season to have a chance to make the playoffs.

After tonight’s defeat to the Saints, the #Vikings’ playoff prospects will be at 13 percent.

Minnesota’s playoff odds will rise to 66 percent with a victory against GB and a Philly defeat next week.

December 28, 2021 — Adam Patrick (@Str8 Cash Homey)

The Minnesota Vikings are now 7-8 in the NFC North, five games behind the Green Bay Packers. Mike Zimmer’s team can still reach the playoffs even if they don’t win the division.

Minnesota is the NFC’s 8th seed, which would exclude them from the playoffs if the season ended today. Fortunately, they still have two games left, and the 2021 season has already been exciting.

The Vikings’ last two games are against the Green Bay Packers on the road and the Chicago Bears at home in the regular season finale. The good news for Minnesota is that they’ll be playing two division opponents, so familiarity may be a factor.

Even if the Vikings win all of their games, they aren’t certain to make the playoffs. They’d need assistance.

With an 8-7 record, the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles occupy the last two wild-card slots. The Niners’ last two opponents are the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Rams. However, San Francisco defeated Minnesota in a head-to-head matchup. In the last two weeks, the Eagles will play the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys.

The Vikings, who are without Adam Thielen, will be praying for a loss by either team the rest of the way. Mike Zimmer and his team, on the other hand, seem unconcerned about it. It won’t matter what anybody else does if they don’t take care of business.

Minnesota’s season would come to a halt.

Pro Football Reference provided all stats. 

RELATED: John Madden predicted that Brett Favre’s tenure with the Minnesota Vikings would be short-lived.

Watch This Video-

  • adam thielen stats
  • vikings record 2020
  • minnesota vikings logo
Latest news
Related news