Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings missed eight weeks due to a hamstring ailment and another week due to a chest issue.
That absence created a hole, and in Jefferson’s absence, rookie Jordan Addison stepped up.
“He grew tremendously,” Jefferson said on December 21 via the team. “He had to step into a role that we weren’t sure he’d be able to take or not.” But I think he did a fantastic job simply being No. 1, making plays for us that we didn’t think he’d be able to make.”
In Week 15, Addison reached the century mark for the second time this season, recording six receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
.@Espn_Jordan with the fingertip grab to give us the lead! #ProBowlVote
📺: @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/KKYpnQGTDi
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 16, 2023
With Jefferson (largely) out for those eight games, Addison caught 37 catches for 464 yards and four touchdowns on 56 targets.
Addison, the No. 23 overall choice in this year’s draft, has a 25/360/5 line with Jefferson on the ice.
“That just goes to show you the amount of talent that he has,” he remarked. “And he’s getting bigger by the day.” He’s growing better by the day, listening to what the coaches, I, and the other players have to say. So I’m looking forward to seeing him in this final stretch of the season.”
Nick Mullens Had ‘Mental Practice’ in Front of Kirk Cousins
Addison will now team up with Jefferson to provide quarterback Nick Mullens with a pair of threats down the stretch, which no other Vikings quarterback has had for a prolonged length of time outside of Kirk Cousins in the first five weeks of the season.
Mullens, according to Jefferson, has benefited from working alongside and behind Cousins over the last two seasons.
“He learned from Kirk, from being behind him and going over the plays, walking through the plays even when he’s not taking those reps,” he added. “So it’s almost as if he’s having… a mental practice.” Just sitting at the back of the huddle going over the walkthroughs and the steps of everything.”
“When he’s out there on that field, it’s as if he’s not missing a step or a beat.” He understands everything and knows just what to do. So when he’s out there on the field, he feels secure and at ease.”
A solid ground attack, on the other hand, could be Mullens’ best friend in Week 16.
The Vikings are still in contention for the division title. But it needs to start with a pair of victories over the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions, and their first chance comes this week.
In place of Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler was a ‘phenomenal’ performer.
Detroit ranks 18th in pass defense and sixth in run defense. Nonetheless, playing keep-away against the league’s No. 5 scoring offense could be a good approach, especially with a backup quarterback at the helm. This might mean another round of Ty Chandler.
“Phenomenal. I mean, he did precisely what we expected. Of course, replacing [Alexander Mattison] will play a significant role in this offense. And we’ve been preaching all week about the need of dominating the run game in order to free up the pass game. So I think he did a fantastic job in his first game as a starter, and I’m looking forward to seeing him in these final stretches as well.”
Chandler rushed for 132 yards in Week 15, the most by a Vikings running back since Dalvin Cook in Week 10 of the 2022 season.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Vikings was hesitant to commit to Chandler as the starting running back. However, Mattison has yet to practice this week, with only one more opportunity on Friday. Mattison’s season high for rushing yards was 95 yards on 17 carries against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4.
