5 Vikings players to watch vs. the Chargers in Week 15

Adam Thielen – WR

It looks like Adam Thielen is finally back on track to play this Sunday against the Chargers. He has been limited in practice but he wasn’t given a designation on the Vikings final injury report on Friday. His healthy return to the lineup will be a huge boost to Minnesota’s offense.

In Thielen’s absence, The Vikings’ offense has still been able to put up points. Kirk Cousins has spread the ball around to numerous targets and Kyle Rudolph has really stepped up in the red zone. While that has been great to see, Thielen brings this offense to a whole other level.

Thielen is Cousins’ go-to man on third-down conversions. He routinely looks his way when Minnesota needs a big play and Thielen is typically clutch in these situations.

He also is Cousins’ preferred target in the red zone. Thielen’s return should increase the productivity of the Vikings’ offense, giving them longer drives, and better chances to score in the red zone. Longer drives on offense will also help the defense stay fresh and not have them get worn down the way they did in their Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

It’ll be interesting to watch Thielen closely and see if he truly is back. If he plays a series or two and looks slow or hobbled, the team should just pull the plug on him, and let him rest until the playoffs if the Vikings end up getting in.

If he’s out there looking like the Adam Thielen of old, then Cousins should look his way all day because he’ll be hungry to produce and help his team out.