One of the toughest challenges the Vikings present on offense is their wide receiver duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Defending that pair is a nigh impossible task, but the 49ers may have caught a break.
Thielen suffered a cut on his ankle during Wednesday’s practice that required stitches. He was limited Wednesday and Thursday, and is officially ‘questionable’ for Saturday on the injury report.
It’s hard to imagine a player as tough as Thielen would miss a divisional playoff game due to a laceration. The six games he missed earlier this season with a hamstring injury were the first missed games of his career. However, a cut that’s been sewn shut may be difficult to move on. That’ll be something worth watching if Thielen does play, since his short-area quickness and ability to get separation in tight spaces make him an elite receiver.
Thielen and Diggs combined for 93 catches, 1,548 yards and 12 touchdowns despite the fact Thielen battled injuries and played only 10 games. Last season they both caught over 100 passes for over 1,000 yards and pulled down nine touchdowns each.
If Thielen is hobbled at all, he becomes a much more manageable problem for the 49ers’ defense.
Here is Minnesota’s full injury report for Saturday:
Out
CB Mackensie Alexander (knee)
Doubtful
S Jayron Kearse (toe, knee)
Questionable
WR Adam Thielen (ankle)
