The Minnesota Vikings have been hit hard at wide receiver, with Justin Jefferson sidelined in the preseason due to injury, Jalen Nailor dinged up too, and Jordan Addison set to miss the first few games because of a suspension.
As a result, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Vikings "are seriously exploring veteran receivers in the trade market, per sources." He also noted that Jefferson is on track to return for Week 1 after managing a hamstring issue earlier this month.
So, what veteran receiver could Minnesota bring? Well, one NBC Sports insider threw out the name of a player who makes sense.
What veteran could the Vikings pursue?
On the latest edition of "Pro Football Talk," NBC Sports NFL insider Mike Florio speculated on the veteran names that the Vikings could pursue and threw out a potential reunion with Adam Thielen, who is currently playing for the Carolina Panthers.
"Include Allen Lazard, Mitchell Tinsley, and Adam Thielen," Florio said when naming veteran wideouts that could be on the Vikings' radar. "That would be something if the Vikings brought him home. He got his start as an undrafted, and I also think uninvited, scouting combine, Mankato State product. He played and starred for the Vikings for a number of years before signing with the Panthers as a free agent. That would be a great story."
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Nonetheless, Florio mentions that Minnesota needs a receiver who knows the offense of head coach Kevin O'Connell. As a result, that could play into Thielen's favor since he played in the 40-year-old's system in 2022 before leaving to join the Panthers.
"You need somebody who knows the offense," Florio added. "It's not easy to plug-and-play a receiver. It could be overwhelming. So, I think the older the guy, the more experienced the guy, the more familiarity he has with some of the players, with the offense, et cetera."
It will be interesting to see whether Thielen is the guy that Minnesota targets or if it's another receiver that is a little younger and would fit O'Connell's system.