The Minnesota Vikings placed Adam Thielen on the team’s Reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.
Following a 2019 season that was hampered by injuries, some wondered if Adam Thielen would be able to return to form for the Minnesota Vikings this year or not.
10 games into the current season and it’s very clear that Thielen‘s skills out on the field aren’t dwindling just yet as he’s hauled in 49 passes for 646 yards and 11 touchdowns. Against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, the 30-year-old Vikings receiver found the end zone twice.
Unfortunately, Minnesota announced on Monday that Thielen has been added to the team’s Reserve/COVID-19 list and now there’s a chance that he might not play in Week 12 against the Carolina Panthers.
Will Adam Thielen miss Week 12 for the Minnesota Vikings?
Since nothing has been reported on whether Thielen actually tested positive for the virus or not, he still has a chance to play in the Vikings‘ next game.
If he was only placed on the list due to being a close contact for someone who contracted the virus, then he must test negative for COVID-19 for five consecutive days before he is allowed to return to the team.
But if Thielen did end up on the list because he tested positive for the virus and he’s displayed symptoms, then it’s likely that he will have to be away from the team for at least 10 days. If this is the case, then Minnesota will be without their top receiver when they take on the Panthers in Week 12.
There is a possibility that Thielen could still play next Sunday if he tested positive for COVID-19 but he isn’t experiencing any of the symptoms. In order for him to get cleared to play, he would need to test negative for the virus for five consecutive days and this testing would also include two PCR (nasal swab) tests at least 24 hours apart.
We probably won’t know more about Thielen’s status until Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer speaks to the media again and that will likely happen on Wednesday.
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If the veteran receiver is unable to play in Week 12 against Carolina, it would be a huge blow for a Minnesota team that cannot really afford too many more losses if they are still going to have a chance at making the playoffs this year.