Addison has played only seven quarters this season, having been benched for the first quarter against the Browns for missing a team walk-through while in London. He amassed a large chunk of his 155 yards so far this season on an 81-yard reception against the Steelers in Dublin to help set up a touchdown.
Nailor, who started the season fresh off a procedure to fix a left hand fracture suffered in training camp, already has 11 catches for 125 yards. The fourth-year receiver was expected to take a step up this season, particularly while Addison was serving his suspension, and he seems on pace for that. Nailor finished 2024 with 28 catches for 414 yards; he had eight receptions for 137 yards through six games last year.
“I feel like I’ve been doing pretty well,” Nailor said Thursday. “Just trying to execute each play I’m in there. Trying to be a willing blocker in the run game and just trying to be open as much as I can in the pass game. Just trying to be consistent in all the phases I’m in there.”
Jefferson lauded Nailor’s selflessness and patience this season as he awaits a big game. And though Thielen isn’t making the flashy plays Vikings fans may have hoped for in his return to Minnesota, three of his four catches have been third-down conversions. Only one third-down pass targeted for Thielen has gone incomplete, a third-and-2 during the third quarter against the Bears.
Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches the winning touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Browns in London on Oct. 5. (Adam Bettcher/The Associated Press)
Jefferson affirmed that since Addison’s return against the Steelers, he’s seen more man-to-man coverage and 1-high safety looks.
Jefferson’s numbers were the best they’ve been all season in the past two games: a season-high 10 catches for 126 yards against Pittsburgh and seven for 123 against Cleveland.