Wide receiver Chad Beebe was a big reason the Vikings pulled off a comeback victory Sunday.
Why was he such a factor? Beebe was taking more reps in Adam Thielen’s absence. Thielen was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list last week and wasn’t activated off it for the game.
But there is a good news for the Vikings this week. Minnesota has activated Thielen off the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Wednesday.
“I think he’ll be ready to go,” Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer said of Thielen, via the Vikings’ Twitter account.
On Sunday, the Vikings did well in the passing game without Thielen, but the wide receiver is still the team’s best option in the red zone. Thielen has 11 touchdown receptions and 646 receiving yards in 2020.
Having Thielen also makes it more difficult for opposing secondaries to hone in on just one of Minnesota’s receivers. Justin Jefferson still had a good day against the Panthers, going for seven receptions and 70 receiving yards. However, Thielen and him make for a menacing wide receiver duo and could help the passing game overall.