The Minnesota Vikings kicked off their regular season with a dominant victory against the New York Giants. They face a tougher test on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. It gets a bit more difficult if they are without a star wide receiver, and that means someone must step up.
Jordan Addison injury provides opportunity for Minnesota Vikings Jalen Nailor
The Minnesota Vikings handled business in a big way against the New York Giants. Of course Brian Daboll’s team isn’t expected to be very good. Minnesota made sure to remind them of that. During the game wide receiver Jordan Addison went to the locker room after having suffered another ankle injury. This is the opposite ankle he was already dealing with. Sam Darnold lost one of his weapons halfway through his first game. If that remains the case for Sunday, it becomes Jalen Nailor’s time to shine.
“I’m going to tell [Nailor] to prepare as if you’re going to be playing a lot more snaps and a lot more first-, second- and early-down snaps. That’s why he’s here. A ton of confidence in him to go be an every-down receiver for us.”
Kevin O’Connell on Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor this week (The Athletic)
“Really for the first time on Sunday against the 49ers, the Vikings might need Nailor. The Vikings don’t have Hockenson to help out Jefferson. Nor do they have another productive pass catcher like K.J. Osborn who left in free agency last spring.“
Alec Lewis on Jalen Nailor’s role this week (The Athletic)
As both Andrew Krammer and Alec Lewis note, this is shaping up to be the biggest week of Jalen Nailor’s career. He has struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons, but the Vikings have always believed in him. The 49ers will key on Justin Jefferson, and that means Nailor could be in line for big time production.
Related: Vikings WR Jalen Nailor Has One Very Important Fan at TCO Performance Center
If there was a time for Nailor to put on a show, Week 2 for the Minnesota Vikings home opener is it.
Can Jalen Nailor carry the load for the Minnesota Vikings?
A significant question this offseason for the Vikings was whether or not their receiver room had enough quality depth. Of course Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are stars, but everything behind them is an unknown. A suspension may wipe playing time out for Addison, but it’s injury that immediately elevates Jalen Nailor.
T.J. Hockenson isn’t eligible to play in Week 2 for the Minnesota Vikings, and that means Nailor becomes a focal point of the offense. Aaron Jones will be asked to put up another big game but the 49ers just held New York Jets running back Breece Hall to 54 yards with a 3.4 yards per carry average.
Sam Darnold tosses his 2nd TD of the day to Jalen Nailor!
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
📺: #MINvsNYG on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/DD9V7zGuL6
Nailor had just one catch for the Vikings in Week 1, but it came right after Addison went to the locker room. The wideout hauled in the pass for a touchdown and the 21 yard strike nearly surpassed his yardage total for all of 2023. Nailor finished his rookie season with 89 and 62 yard outings in the final two weeks. He should be expected to flirt with that production against the 49ers if called upon to be the number two.
Related: Vikings Update on Jordan Addison Injury Seems Positive
Minnesota won’t be the only team waiting on the availability of a star this week. Christian McCaffrey did not play in Week 1 for San Francisco. There is a possibility he misses Week 2 as well.