Jauan Jennings’ absence could turn Myles Price into the Vikings’ busiest player

Jauan Jennings won’t play in the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 2 game at Chicago, putting Myles Price in line for added offensive snaps while he keeps both return jobs. The Vikings’ final injury report lists Jennings out for a personal matter after he missed all three practices. Jennings’ absence doesn’t create a receiver crisis, but it forces a choice about where Price can help without weakening Minnesota’s best field-position lever.

The Minnesota depth chart places Price directly behind Jennings and first at both kickoff returner and punt returner. That’s three jobs on one Sunday, and all three can affect the game. The depth chart points to Price, but that shouldn’t make him a snap-for-snap replacement.

Kevin O’Connell has enough options to spread Jennings’ offensive work among Price, Tai Felton, T.J. Hockenson, and Josh Oliver. He can’t replace a lost explosive return by drawing up a clever third-down route. Price’s offensive package should grow in Chicago, but his special-teams role still deserves priority.

Minnesota Vikings can deploy Myles Price’s speed in doses against the Chicago Bears

Price averaged 35.8 yards on five kickoff returns against Green Bay, ripped off a game-changing 68-yarder and added 13 yards on his only punt return. His 179 kick return yards lead the NFL through Week 1. Chicago special-teams coordinator Richard Hightower identified Price as a priority in the Bears’ preparation. Chicago watched one game of 2026 tape and found the player who repeatedly tilted the field before Minnesota’s offense snapped the ball.

A long Price return could lead to another immediate assignment. Flip the field, and he could go straight from returner to receiver without leaving the field.

Price averaged 25.9 yards on kickoffs and 9.9 yards on punts as a rookie, but he also fumbled four times, so ball security remains part of the evaluation. His Week 1 eruption validated the idea that Price could be Minnesota’s most valuable field-position weapon -- when he secures the ball.

The second-year receiver proved he belongs in the offensive plan. He led the Vikings with four catches for 51 yards and a touchdown in their preseason opener, showing legitimate growth. His speed can stress Chicago horizontally through motion, quick screens, and crossers, then punish a squatting defensive back on a selective deep shot.

But even though Price is next on the depth chart, he isn’t Jennings. Jennings can dig out a safety in the run game and win through contact on third down. Price should be moving, stretching coverage, and catching the ball in space, not absorbing the entire physical workload.

A committee is how it'll likely shake out. Felton can absorb outside snaps, while Hockenson and Oliver let O’Connell lean into two-tight-end personnel. I’d give Price roughly a dozen offensive snaps, feature him on a few touches, and expand only if the game demands it. That’s enough to make Chicago account for him without taxing his legs before the returns that can flip the game.

Price can handle a heavier workload for one game, especially after proving his receiving value in the preseason. The Vikings still know the return game is where he gives them their biggest advantage. The snap count may undersell Price’s overall performance, but handling both return jobs and an expanded package would make him Minnesota’s busiest player in responsibility.

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