With Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games of the season, and question marks outside of Justin Jefferson, there is some general concern about the Minnesota Vikings' wide receiver depth when the season starts. The depth chart got a little thinner when Rondale Moore suffered a season-ending injury in the first preseason game.
There has been some buzz about the Vikings bringing back Adam Thielen for a reunion in what could be the final season of his career. The Carolina Panthers may be more than willing to clear out playing time for their younger wide receivers, but any idea about bringing Thielen home may be a stronger conversation closer to the early-November trade deadline.
Moore was injured returning a punt against the Texans. So, at minimum, there is one less notable competitor for that role over the rest of training camp and the last two preseason games. Moore may have been the favorite to win the punt returning job, so with that in mind, there is now a notable void for the Vikings to fill.
A WR reunion that makes immediate sense is out there for the Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Star Tribune's four Vikings reporters did a live Q&A on Tuesday. A question about what should be done, if anything, to add a wide receiver was addressed by beat writer Andrew Krammer.
"The FA option that jumps out to me is a familiar one: Brandon Powell. Powell turns 30 next month, but he knows the offense having played for Kevin O'Connell in both Los Angeles and Minnesota, and he's a sure-handed punt returner option. The team did not re-sign Powell this offseason, but Moore's injury on Saturday heightens their need for receiver and returner options."
Krammer also set aside the notion that the Vikings need to add a wide receiver of significance in the wake of Addison's suspension.
"I think Addison's suspension has more impact on how the Vikings are handling Jefferson's injury -- with the utmost caution to ensure he's ready for Week 1 -- than it does their search for receivers."
Powell was the Vikings' primary punt returner in each of the last two seasons. As Krammer noted, he also spent the 2021 season with the Los Angeles Rams, when head coach Kevin O'Connell was there. Familiarity is easy, and as time winds down before Week 1, adding someone who already knows the system takes on more importance.
Since he remains available as we get deeper into August, Powell would presumably come back to the Vikings if he was wanted. That call may come soon, and if a reunion isn't already on the radar for both sides, it should be.