Viking wide-receiver Adam Thielen is ending his 2021 season early following ankle surgery.
Thielen first suffered a high ankle sprain December 5th in Detroit. He reinjured the ankle trying to play last Sunday against the Rams.
The Minnesota native will miss the team’s final two games in Green Bay Sunday night, then on January 9th against the Chicago Bears.
K.J. Osborn replaces Thielen in the starting lineup. Osborn has had a bit of a breakout year but is not the reliable threat that Thielen has been which has allowed defenses to concentrate more on second-year star Justin Jefferson.
The Vikings still hold slim playoff chances in the NFC but must win-out against the Packers and Bears and hope for some help.
The game Sunday night in Green Bay is expected to be very cold, with highs of 10 and lows around zero.
