Vikings WR Adam Thielen suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss to the Lions.

Thielen will undergo further testing to determine the extent of the injury but we can probably almost already rule him out for Week 14 as the Vikings play on Thursday against the Steelers. This is just the icing on the cake today after the Vikings lost on a last-second touchdown to give the Lions their first win of the season and further warm up HC Mike Zimmer’s seat.

The Vikings will have RB Dalvin Cook and WRs Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen Week 6 as none of the trio carries an injury designation.

All three being left off the injury report goes a long way with a road game against a good Carolina Panthers defense.

The Vikings activated wide receiver Adam Thielen from the Reserve/COVID list Wednesday.

Thielen should rejoin the Minnesota offense in Week 13 against the Jaguars. Reports indicate Thielen dealt with a false positive test for COVID-19 last week, resulting in his absence from the lineup. Thielen will quickly reclaim WR2 status working alongside star rookie Justin Jefferson.

Justin Jefferson became Minnesota's No. 1 receiving threat and saw double-digit targets (13) for the third time this season. And he had his second multi-touchdown day, with seven catches for 70 yards and two scores.

Related players: Adam Thielen

Of course Thielen is out of the lineup and on the COVID list, but Jefferson is showing he can step in. The story said Jefferson's longest reception of the day was 18 yards, a departure from the deep shots off play-action that usually come his way. The added attention is something Jefferson has been anticipating for weeks, working to perfect different releases and footwork to keep defenses guessing. Recently, we had a story about how teams are beginning to treat Jefferson as the Vikings WR1. With Thielen out of the lineup, Jefferson is showing he can deal with that kind of role and attention from defenses.

HC Mike Zimmer told reporters he’s hopeful wide receiver Adam Thielen will be able to return this week.

Of course, that’s subject to the wideout clearing COVID protocols. Thielen has been on the reserve/COVID-19 list since last Monday.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen is not expected to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

No Thielen would be a huge loss for the Vikings pass offense. Thielen has 13 touchdowns this season. Tajae Sharpe and Olabisi Johnson would get more snaps, with Chad Beebe being the likely receiver to start in place of Thielen.

Vikings are awaiting word on WR Adam Thielen’s status after positive -- and negative -- COVID-19 tests.

Pelissero said Thielen's status is "up in the air." The NFL and the medical experts are continuing to sort through Thielen's situation. Owners will have to continue to monitor the status of Thielen's testing leading up to Week 12.