Vikings fans are hoping their two-time Pro Bowl receiver can put up some big numbers with the playoffs starting.
Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen was active for Week 15 and Week 16 of the season after missing seven of the previous eight with a hamstring injury.
In Week 17, Thielen was held out due to precautionary reasons, along with a good chunk of the rest of the team’s starters.
In Week 15 against the Chargers, Thielen was on the field for 51 percent of the plays and caught three passes for 27 yards. In Week 16, he was on the field for 93 percent of the plays, but didn’t have a single catch on four catches.
So, can the Vikings get him going against the Saints in Sunday’s wild card game?
“I think we’re excited to have him as a part of this attack,” Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski said Thursday. “I think the production will come as always anytime you’re coming off an injury like he was, I think he’s (ready) to go now. I do believe he looks great out here today, so we’ll see how the game unfolds. If it calls for a big day from him, I think he’ll be ready.”
This, of course, is less about Thielen and more about Kirk Cousins and the Vikings pass protection. If the offensive line can give Cousins enough time, and Cousins gets into rhythm, the offensive attack is dangerous with Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Dalvin Cook and Kyle Rudolph.
Thielen is certainly itching to get back to the level he’s been at in the past. The last time Thielen had more than 50 yards in a game was on Oct. 13, more than two months ago.
We’ll see if he can change that on Sunday.
