The Vikings have been dealing with the loss of one of their top offensive weapons for nearly two months now.
Adam Thielen, hurt during a TD catch October 20th in Detroit, has been battling a hamstring injury. After briefly getting on the field in Kansas City November 3rd, it was back to rehab for the All-Pro receiver.
Now, with the Vikings clinging to a Wild Card spot and one game behind the division leading Packers, the team is hopeful Thielen will be able to play Sunday in Los Angeles at 100%. Thielen feels confident he's finally ready.
Talking to Dave Lee on the Morning News Friday, Thielen said, "Gone through a couple practices and feeling good. Have one more today, and hopefully things go well which I'm anticipating, then good to go for Sunday."
Thielen was seen at practice Thursday running hard and cutting on routes like he is totally healthy.
Dave asked Thielen if he's had an injury like this before. Thielen says he hasn't, and trying to heal it has been an education for him.
"Definitely learning some things about it. Learning from my mistakes and what I could have done better. Learned there are some other resources I could help me. It's been a learning process. I've really tried not to get frustrated which is easy to do. I just did whatever I could each day to get back as quickly as possible, be healthy, be myself, and just help this team win games."
The Chargers defense has been good and Thielen expects it to be a challenge for the Viking offense. "Their record doesn't show how good they are. They've gone through a lot of injuries, lost a lot of close games and things like that. It will be one of the best defenses we've played all year. They don't do a lot, so they are really, really good at what they do. You see it on tape. They don't give up big plays, they're around the football, and they just get after the passer. They don't have a lot of weaknesses."
Viking-Chargers HistoryThis is one of the least played series the Vikings have in the league, with only 12 games between the two teams since the Chargers started NFL play in 1970.
The last game played between the two was in 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings won 31-14 capped by a 91-yard TD on a Chad Greenway interception. They last played in San Diego in 2011 but Viking QB Donavan McNabb (remember that year?) was shut down in the second half of a 24-17 Charger win during the midst of a terrible 3-13 season for the Purple. This will be the first matchup in LA.
The only time the Vikings have beaten the Chargers on the road was almost 40 years ago. In 1981, Bud Grant and Tommy Kramer battled the offensive juggernaut of Don Coryell and Dan Fouts. Kramer threw for four touchdowns and 444 yards in a 33-31 win. It is still one of the highest scoring games in team history.
InjuriesWith one more day of practice before the team boards the plane for Southern California, the Vikings do have a few injuries to work out.
The biggest question mark is running back Alexander Mattison who is nursing an ankle injury. He sat out practice both Wednesday and Thursday. Dalvin Cook has also been dealing with a chest injury suffered in Seattle, but was a full participant. If Mattison can't go Sunday, we'll see more of second-year RB Mike Boone.
“There’s a bunch of them they didn’t overturn, and now they’re starting to overturn some,” Zimmer said. “It’s very ambiguous to the players and the coaches. It was voted in for one year, so hopefully they either fix it or get rid of it because it is not the way it was intended to be in my understanding from being in the meetings.”
Then Zimmer added, "The pass interference in Green Bay that we got called on that kept us from scoring a touchdown, I think there’s been way less. The ones I’ve seen, that one has me baffled."
Viking fans are sure to agree.
The Vikings are in the middle of the pack when it comes to defensive pass interference calls with seven going against them. Tampa, Pittsburgh and the NY Jets all lead the league with 11 calls.
Of note, Green Bay has only been called for two so far, the least in the NFL. One more number Viking fans will love.
Overall, the Vikings have been one of the least penalized teams in the league despite what seems like an endless parade of yellow in some games. The Vikings have committed 85 penalties, 23rd in the NFL. By comparison, Jacksonville has committed 115, the Jets 110.
WCCO Programming NotesThis Sunday, you'll be able to listen to the Packers on WCCO Radio. We'll carry the Bears and Packers live from Lambeau Field with the pregame at 11:30a.m., kickoff just after noon. A big game in the playoff race for both teams, should the Packers lose and the Vikes win Sunday, they would be tied heading into a massive Monday night showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23rd.
Also Sunday, tune in at halftime of the Vikings and Chargers to sound-off with Henry Lake, then after the game with Purple Postgame along with former Viking GM Jeff Diamond.
Monday night, we'll be live at B52 Burgers and Brew in Inver Grove Heights for Monday Night Purple. Viking linebacker Eric Kendricks will join Jeff Diamond and Joe Anderson. Stop by for great burgers, some facetime with one of the Vikings' best players and a chance to get an autograph or photo with Kendricks.