MN Vikings Wide Receiver Went Under the Knife

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Jalen Nailor, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The big Minnesota Vikings news on Wednesday morning was the acquisition of Adam Thielen. Now that the pride of Detroit Lakes is headed back home to presumably finish out his career, his new/old head coach Kevin O’Connell must feel much more comfortable about his receiver group, entering the season.

The addition of Thielen became necessary thanks to a Jordan Addison suspension that will cost him the first three games of 2025. Jalen Nailor, who was slotted to operate as WR3bprior to the Thielen trade, has a hand/wrist injury that has his status for week one up in the air.

Jalen Nailor has surgery ahead of Minnesota Vikings season

Nailor suffered his injury during joint practices against the New England Patriots. On Tuesday, it was revealed that there’s more to Jalen’s malady than what had previously been disclosed. According to Darren “Doogie” Wolfson on SKOR North’s Purple Daily, the 3rd year WR out of Michigan State had surgery on his injured hand.

“Did Jalen Nailor undergo surgery on the left hand? I can tell you, there was a procedure done with the idea to be back for Week 1. I think, when the injury report comes out (Saturday September 6th) two days prior to the Monday night opener…I would imagine Jalen Nailor is listed as questionable.

Now, if he can ramp things up in practice a day or two prior, maybe probable. I’m just thinking wide receiver, hand, that’s a tricky injury. The idea is, when you undergo a procedure to get back sooner, if he just lets it heal, he absolutely misses Week 1. There is this idea that Nailor is doing well, right now, with the hope to play Week 1 in Chicago.”

Darren Wolfson – Purple Daily

Whether Nailor is ready to rock for the regular season or not, this procedure sure be worrisome. He’s already had issues with drops throughout his career, and I can’t imagine a hand injury, or the subsequent surgery, will improve that skill.

Nonetheless, Wolfson suggest that Nailor could still ready for Week 1, and the Vikings insist that the surgery didn’t slow his recovery timeline. Instead, they believe it made his return more expedited. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, though, is not experiencing the same kind of optimism.

“What they did not plan for is Jalen Nailor jamming his left hand in the second day of joint practices. Now, you ask, will Jalen be back for the first game? To me, I’m not totally sure one way or another. I wouldn’t go strong on it one way or another from what I’ve heard. If you don’t have him for Week 1, it places even more importance on the need for additional depth in the spot.”

Alec Lewis

This is the final year of Nailor’s rookie contract, and he’s only played 38 games during the first three years largely due to time missed because of injury. Operating as a starter for the first time last season, he recorded just 28 receptions for 414 yards.

MN Vikings need more than just Jalen Nailor

Minnesota brought in Thielen because of the depth lacking at the wide receiver position. That addresses things at the top, but it doesn’t really solve the entire problem. Both Tim Jones and Myles Price are still on the 53-man roster with avenues towards a level of realistic playing time.

Related: MN Vikings Finally Complete Adam Thielen Trade… and it Wasn’t Cheap

On Tuesday’s roster cutdown day, the Washington Commanders parted ways with K.J. Osborn. Minnesota knows him well too, and he was more productive in the same role than Nailor has been. Injury or not, that seems like a pretty straightforward upgrade if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wants to make it.

We’ll have to see how Nailor returns from the injury and surgical procedure. It wouldn’t be a shock if he leaves something to be desired though. Minnesota kicks off the regular season on September 8th on Monday Night Football.

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