Minnesota Vikings Receivers

The Minnesota Vikings receivers have become a topic of conversation. With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at the top of the group, the receivers are always going to be a team focus. They are arguably the best pass-catching duo in the league. Jefferson is currently working back from a mild hamstring issue. Addison will be suspended for the first three games of the season. With those two situations, the panic was present even before Saturday’s preseason game against the Houston Texans. Rondale Moore was signed in the offseason as something of a wildcard. He was available for a modest contract mostly because he was coming back from a significant right knee injury. He suffered the injury about a year ago while he was with the Atlanta Falcons. Quick and shifty, he could provide a particular play-making element the Vikings don’t currently have on the roster. He was contending for a receiver role and leading the competition for the punt return role. All of that crashed when he was hauled down awkwardly (hip-drop tackle?) on his first touch against the Texans. While the results of an MRI have yet to be released, it appears that Moore suffered a significant injury to his left knee. The receiver panic has reached the next level.

Minnesota Vikings Receivers (without Rondale Moore)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jalen Nailor

Tai Felton 

Lucky Jackson

Jeshaun Jones

Tim Jones

Thayer Thomas

Dontae Fleming

Myles Price

Silas Bolden

Robert Lewis

Seeing as many Vikings pundits and fans didn’t have Rondale Moore making the team in their early 53-man roster projections, I’m not sure why his injury has amped the panic. Perhaps, it was special teams coordinator Matt Daniels saying that he was PR1. Who knows? I believe that some surrounding the team simply want to panic about something. Right now, receiver is that something. Jefferson will be fine. Addison will be back in Week 4. Jefferson and Jalen Nailor were fine last year in wins over the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans while Addison was out with an injury. I believe that Jefferson and Nailor will be fine against the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, and Cincinnati Bengals while Addison is suspended. Tai Felton and  Lucky Jackson will have to step up. It’s always “Next Man Up” in the NFL. 

As for the Vikings receiver room with Rondale Moore likely out for the season, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, and Tai Felton are locks. Lucky Jackson is nearly there. Actually, he may already be there. If the loss of Moore is felt anywhere, it’s probably special teams. I really liked him as the team’s punt returner. I mostly liked him there because he wouldn’t be on the roster solely for returns. I felt that he’d contribute, maybe significantly, on offense. Now, I feel that the returner might be a receiver that’s on the roster simply for special teams. Improving on returns is a must. The Vikings haven’t gotten much from punt returns since Marcus Sherels was on the roster. And he was only the roster for his special teams excellence. The lack of a return threat has really hurt the team with their field position. Hopefully, one of Silas Bolden, Dontae Fleming, or Myles Price grabs the job and becomes the Vikings next great punt returner. I believe that Jackson might’ve been added to that competition as well. Maybe he was always part of it and I just missed it. 

As long as there are no more injuries, the Vikings receivers will be fine. It’s “Next Man Up.” Tai Felton and Lucky Jackson will step up while Jordan Addison is out. Tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver will supplement the receivers. Running backs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason will also factor heavily in the Vikings offensive attack. The Vikings will be fine. There’s no reason to panic in August.