Vikings’ Depth Will Be Tested in Week 2
Injuries have already been a major storyline for the 2024 Minnesota Vikings. Mekhi Blackmon’s season-ending knee injury suffered early in training camp set the trend, followed by J.J. McCarthy’s devastating meniscus tear. T.J. Hockenson’s continued recovery already hurt the offense, as one of the main targets has been ruled out for the first four games of the season.
Vikings’ Depth Will Be Tested in Week 2
On Sunday, tight end Hockenson will be joined on the sidelines by sophomore wide receiver Jordan Addison. The Vikings have ruled him out on Friday for the home opener against the San Francisco 49ers, putting the offense under some serious stress with two of the top three pass-catchers absent. An ankle injury suffered in Week 1 is the reason for the first missed game in his professional career.
In a true next-man-up mentality, the depth needs to step up, similar to when superstar Justin Jefferson missed seven games in the 2023 season.
The good news is that those unsung wideouts have performed well in training camp and the preseason.
The Vikings didn’t acquire a big-name receiver to compensate for K.J. Osborn’s departure in free agency. Instead, the coaching staff trusted backups Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell to fill that void. Veteran Trent Sherfield was signed, and last year’s practice squad player Trishton Jackson finally made an initial 53-man roster.
Their job description is pretty simple: they need to make a play whenever Jefferson is double and triple-teamed.
With the different personnel, head coach Kevin O’Connell will be asked to find creative ways to take advantage of some flaws in San Francisco’s excellent defense and scheme his players open ‒ something he’s been phenomenal in.
O’Connell talked about his depth wideouts in Friday’s press conference.
I think you’re going to see all of those guys doing different jobs throughout the game. Trishton (Jackson) is going to be up as well, and that’s why Trishton’s here. He had a great camp, really could fill in at any one of those three spots and we’ve got a lot of confidence in him. He knows what to do; he plays with great technique and fundamentals. Trishton has earned the right to be here, no doubt, but having a guy like that to step in in these moments is very comforting for us as an offensive staff and I think for Sam (Darnold) as well.
No doubt, not having Jordan (Addison) out there [hurts], he had a great game against them a year ago, [made] some huge plays for us, so we’re going to pick up for Jordan with some guys we’re confident in, starting with Speedy (Jalen Nailor) and BP (Brandon Powell), and Trent (Sherfield) and then Trishton mixing in in all three of those spots.
O’Connell added that Powell usually surprises people and is a versatile receiver who can help in a variety of ways.
Indeed, Powell stepped up last year, becoming an option for quarterbacks Joshua Dobbs and Nick Mullens, especially during Jefferson’s absence. He didn’t catch a pass in the season opener but registered career numbers last year, collecting 324 receiving yards and one game-winning touchdown.
Nailor caught his second career touchdown last week. The injury-plagued 2023 season is behind him, and he has turned heads in the last two months. His emergence as a true weapon on the outside could be the key to competing with the 49ers.
Sherfield has contributed to various teams in his career. He hasn’t logged his first Vikings catch yet, but Addison’s absence surely is an opportunity for the man who had 417 receiving yards with the Dolphins in 2022.
Jackson was inactive in Week 1, but he led the league in the preseason with three touchdown grabs, and the 154 receiving yards ranked him fourth. A frequent playmaker in training camp and the preseason, Jackson hopes to get some reps in Week 2.
The Vikings have numerous options who could get some of Addison’s targets, but it remains to be seen which one can actually benefit.
Minnesota wants to reach its first 2-0 record since the 2016 season.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Pro Football Focus helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt