In Week 13, the Vikings and fantasy football managers alike lost Adam Thielen early in the first quarter due to an ankle injury. Thielen missed last Thursday’s game, and with the Vikings playing Monday night, fantasy managers won’t get another update on him until Thursday at the earliest. What is the latest information on Thielen’s status, and how should fantasy managers proceed going forward?
Adam Thielen’s injury status
As I’m sure you’re all aware by now, Thielen sustained a dreaded high-ankle sprain. In extremely mild cases, a player can return after just a week or two. Most high-ankle sprains cost players anywhere from 4-6 weeks. Medically, that is when a player is typically healthy enough to play, but the ankle will not be 100% for up to 4-6 months.
Thielen has already missed one game and is poised to miss several more. The Vikings open practice for Monday night’s game on Thursday. Expect to see Thielen listed as “did not participate.”
When might Adam Thielen return?
I mentioned the 4-6 week timeline above, but it’s important to note the Vikings did not place Thielen on injured reserve (IR). It’s a curious move because, given the nature of the injury, a return after missing just two games seems unlikely. Nevertheless, given the team’s decision, we cannot rule out Thielen is able to make it back before missing what would be the mandatory three-game minimum for players sent to IR.
To date, we have not been given a timetable for Thielen’s return. It’s important to understand that what I’m providing is my prediction based on the limited evidence we do have — do not take this as absolute fact, as much can change. I do not think we see Thielen again this season. Perhaps he can make a return in Week 18 for what could be a win-and-in scenario for the Vikings. Fantasy managers should prepare to be without Thielen for the entirety of the fantasy playoffs.
What are the fantasy implications of Thielen’s absence?
As we saw in Weeks 13 and 14, K.J. Osborn stepped into the WR2 role opposite Justin Jefferson. Osborn is obviously not the same caliber player as Thielen and will not be commanding the same target share. He still can be productive, though.
Osborn has scored a touchdown in two straight games. Last week’s score was on a perfect deep ball by Kirk Cousins. Osborn will be a volatile fantasy WR3, but one that fantasy managers can confidently start — he’s recorded a 90% snap share in Thielen’s absence.
The Vikings’ WR3 this week will either be rookie Ihmir Smith-Marsette or Dan Chisena. I still don’t know who the latter is. Dede Westbrook had the role last week, but he tested positive for COVID-19 this week and is unlikely to play Monday.
Many fantasy analysts, myself included, also pegged Tyler Conklin for an increased role. He played a season-low 70% of the snaps last Thursday and saw a season-low 2 targets. So, the opposite happened. Regardless, Conklin remains one of many borderline TE1 starters that are “touchdown or bust.”
What if Thielen plays Week 15?
Given the Vikings’ game is on Monday night, we won’t know for sure until Saturday. The team has not ruled Thielen out yet. Perhaps we could be met with a pleasant surprise and Thielen gets in a limited practice on Thursday or Friday.
If Thielen can recover miraculously, he would return to his WR2 role opposite Jefferson. Osborn would no longer be fantasy-viable. Conklin’s status would mostly remain unchanged. Fantasy managers should check back with us throughout the week for the latest updates on all injured players, including Thielen.