Report: ‘Hard to imagine’ Adam Thielen plays Thursday night [UPDATE]

Editor’s update: The Vikings are targeting a Week 9 return for Adam Thielen against the Kansas City Chiefs, per Tom Pelissero.

The Minnesota Vikings have a short week in Week 8, and that likely will cost them the services of wide receiver Adam Thielen for the time being. Thielen injured his hamstring on a diving touchdown catch in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions. He landed and slid into the protective barrier. He got up wincing and it was later diagnosed as a hamstring injury.

Thielen is getting an MRI on his hamstring, but NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport said it is “hard to imagine” the receiver being able to play on the short week. It was not a “sources say” comment, but more of a “logic dictates” type of deal. You injure a hamstring on Sunday and can’t return to the game, it does not bode well for a game four days later. UPDATE: Tom Pelissero is reporting the MRI came back as not a serious injury, but he is unlikely to play on Thursday.

The Vikings will likely have a rest day on Monday and release an estimated injury report. Odds are pretty good Thielen will be listed as a DNP for that report. If he practices Tuesday or Wednesday, it would be a surprise.

Fantasy football analysis, Vikings WR Adam Thielen

You should prepare to not have Thielen in your roster on Thursday against Washington. Stefon Diggs was the big performer in Thielen’s absence, finishing with seven receptions for 142 yards, and will be a must start on Thursday. Bisi Johnson finished second among wide receivers in snaps and had four receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown.

An intriguing development saw tight end Kyle Rudolph catch five passes for 58 yards and a touchdown. It’s been slow going for Rudolph, and Thielen’s absence might provide some upside for the tight end.