Pro Bowl wide receiver Adam Thielen was activated and off the COVID-19 list on Thursday and he called WCCO on Friday to talk about how it felt to be back in the saddle.
It felt like relief.
"Obviously, it was different being at home for 10 straight days. I'm glad to be back around my teammates ... I love waking up and going back to work," he said. "I definitely like to get in and get my workout done in the morning."
This was the second time in two years that he's watched a Vikings game from home and this time his celebration of their win was monumental. "You see how hard those guys work day in and day out and you get to see them get out there and have success. I don't want to say 'proud dad' moment, but that's how it feels," he said.
Thielen went onto the COVID list Nov. 23 following his best game of the season. He caught eight passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings' loss to Dallas. This week, they face Jacksonville, a team whose "defense has played really well," Thielen said, adding, "They're well coached, it'll be a tough task for us."
The week he was off, four Vikings players stepped up and each had at least seven receptions and 60 receiving yards in the team's win: Chad Beebe caught the winning touchdown and had seven receptions for 63 yards along with Justin Jefferson (7 receptions, 70 yards, 2 TDs), Bisi Johnson (7 receptions, 74 yards) and Kyle Rudolph (7 receptions, 68 yards).
So far this season, Thielen has 49 receptions for 646 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he's not focused on the past. He says his eyes are focused on the next game. "Our focus is Jacksonville and it's a huge week for us," Thielen said.
Could a week off have given his body an extra boost when they face Jacksonville? Thielen said it's a possibility, but we'll all have to "wait and see."
