Justin Jefferson is still dealing with a mild hamstring injury, Rondale Moore's 2025 season is already over because of a knee injury, and Jordan Addison won't be available for the first three games of the 2025 campaign due to a suspension. Wide receiver depth isn't exactly what one would currently call a strength for the Minnesota Vikings, especially after Jalen Nailor reportedly sustained an injury on Thursday.
Following Thursday's joint practice with the New England Patriots, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell revealed that Nailor sustained a hand injury during the session. O'Connell said that the fourth-year receiver "kind of jammed his hand," and they will evaluate him to see if he needs to miss any practice time or not.
Whether Nailor is able to escape a notable injury or not, Minnesota should take this as just another sign that they need to add another wide receiver to their roster, and preferably someone with previous NFL starting experience under their belt.
Which WRs should the Minnesota Vikings attempt to trade for or sign?
With Nailor's injury being the latest blow to the team's wide receiver depth, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should probably attempt to add another pass-catcher to the roster sooner rather than later.
Even if Jefferson is able to return for the regular-season opener in a few weeks, Minnesota could potentially be entering Week 1 against the Chicago Bears with Lucky Jackson as their No. 2 receiver, depending on how severe Nailor's hand injury is.
Jackson has had himself a good training camp this summer, but the Vikings would be lying if they said they would be comfortable with trotting him out as the team's No. 2 wide receiver to begin the season.
So who could Minnesota add to its receiver room in the near future?
Some current trade options might include Adam Thielen of the Carolina Panthers, Robert Woods of the Pittsburgh Steelers, or Van Jefferson of the Tennessee Titans. Still without a team this year are guys like Odell Beckham Jr., Gabe Davis, Tyler Boyd, and Jamison Crowder.
If Nailor has to miss any time, a trade would seem like the better route for the Vikings to take, and if he's able to return to the practice field soon, then signing a veteran free agent would probably be the more logical path for Minnesota.
We'll see if the Vikings add any new wide receivers this summer, but with the start of the regular season inching closer and closer, they're quickly running out of time to make a move that could actually have an impact on 2025.