5 players the Vikings can’t afford to lose to injury in 2020

Adam Thielen – WR

Losing Adam Thielen would be very costly to the Vikings in 2020. He’s a star player and can make catches no one else in the league can. He’s proven to be very reliable and he and Kirk Cousins have a great rapport and can anticipate what the other is about to do. Not only is he a great player, but he’s one of the few receivers on the Vikings depth chart with any experience.

The depth chart following Thielen lacks players who have logged a lot of playing time in the league. They brought in veteran Tajae Sharpe and that helps, but Bisi Johnson is the only other player who has really been an active part of an NFL offense. Rookie Justin Jefferson is exciting but could need a period of adjustment to the NFL game. The same goes for K.J. Osborn or Quartney Davis if either is able to make the team.

If Thielen were to get hurt, the Vikings starting receivers would be Tajae Sharpe, Justin Jefferson, and Bisi Johnson. While that trio has potential, teams would go with a prove it approach. They would stack the box and focus on shutting down the Vikings’ ground game, only backing off once these receivers prove they can get open consistently.

Adam Thielen is a vital part of the Vikings’ success in 2020. If he’s lost for a stretch. as he was last year,  there is no Stefon Diggs around to pick up the slack. His loss would severely damage the Vikings’ offense as a whole, and the team could struggle.