The Minnesota Vikings are one of the surprise teams of the 2024 season. Not many expected the Vikings to be sitting at 2-0 after an early-season tilt against the San Francisco 49ers. Perhaps just as surprising, quarterback Sam Darnold has been playing well in the early portions of the season, even leading some to wonder if the Vikings should give him another season as the bridge to eventual starter J.J. McCarthy.
For as well as Darnold has played so far this season, that could come crashing down this week as the Vikings prepare to face the Houston Texans with the very real possibility that their wide receiver corps — typically a strength of the team — is severely diminished.
All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson suffered a quad injury in last week’s game against the 49ers. While it doesn’t appear that Jefferson suffered a serious injury, he was limited in Wednesday’s practice. Jefferson wants to play, but even if he is able to go Sunday against the Texans, he’s unlikely to be at full strength.
On the other hand, wide receiver Jordan Addison is dealing with injuries of his own, this time in the form of an ankle injury. Addison was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday’s practice and is likely questionable to go against the Texans. That leaves the Vikings with some real questions at the position, not only for this week against Houston but going forward as well, as both injuries can tend to linger.
While Minnesota may be content to wait out the injuries and see how they progress, the Bleacher Report team suggests they should be a little more aggressive in addressing the wide receiver room. In their weekly column outlining team needs heading into the week and how teams can address them, the Bleacher Report Scouting Department suggests the Vikings sign veteran wide receiver Russell Gage.
Gage, a five-year veteran, is still just 28-years-old but has not played in the league since starting four games in the 2022 season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That season, Gage caught 51 passes for 426 yards and five touchdowns.
During his most productive stretch, Gage was good for over 700 yards in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Provided that he’s in shape, Gage could provide the team with a solid receiving option should they need one in place of Jefferson or Addison and could likely compete for the team’s third option when those two are healthy.