JALEN NAILOR NEWS

Vikings feel the growing pains with young quarterback J.J. McCarthy after flop vs. Falcons

The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of work to do on offense this week after more struggles on that side of the ball

SEPTEMBER 15 • Associated Press

Falcons' rookies shine in dominant defensive win over Vikings

The Atlanta Falcons have improved their defense from last season's struggles against the Minnesota Vikings

SEPTEMBER 15 • Associated Press

Finishes second in receiving Sunday Nailor had three receptions on five targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 22-6 loss to the Falcons.

Impact Nailor wound up finishing second behind star wideout Justin Jefferson (3-81-0) in both targets and receiving yards Sunday. The 26-year-old Nailor could have had a much bigger fantasy night had QB J.J. McCarthy not airmailed his target on what would have been a lengthy touchdown grab. Nailor will see an elevated role for one more game against the Bengals next Sunday before Jordan Addison returns from suspension in Week 4 to reclaim his starting role.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

J.J. McCarthy's rough home debut: What went wrong for the Vikings?

Vikings quarterback J

SEPTEMBER 15 • Associated Press

Jalen Nailor looks like Malik Nabers on leaping catch with his back parallel to ground Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor reels in a 12-yard overhead pass from quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

SEPTEMBER 15 • NFL.COM

Can't-Miss Play: Bowman's first NFL interception has a high degree of difficulty Atlanta Falcons safety Billy Bowman Jr. steals the ball from Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor for an interception.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Jalen Nailor Makes Leaping Grab vs. Falcons Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor reels in a 12-yard overhead pass from quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

SEPTEMBER 15 • VIKINGS.COM

Just one reception but starts at WR Nailor had one reception for 28 yards on three targets in Monday's win at Chicago.

Impact While Nailor had just one catch, there were some positives for his fantasy value. He played despite suffering a hand injury that sidelined late in August and had his status for the start of the season in question. Nailor also started at wide receiver opposite Justin Jefferson over Adam Thielen and had more opportunities (Thielen had one target). Nailor also played on 49 of the offense's 56 snaps, compared to 32 for Thielen. It was thought Thielen may step in to the No. 2 WR role after his trade from Carolina and with Nailor's hand injury during training camp. However, Nailor may have just two more games with a prominent role given Jordan Addison will return from a three-game suspension.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

'We Knew He Had That Dog in Him:' Inside J.J. McCarthy's Debut Comeback Win

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy became the first player to account for three TDs in the fourth quarter of his NFL debut. Here's how it happened.

SEPTEMBER 9 • FOX SPORTS

J.J. McCarthy's 28-yard connection with Jalen Nailor gets Vikings into Bears territory Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy throws a dime to wide receiver Jalen Nailor for 28 yards.

SEPTEMBER 9 • NFL.COM

Logs full practice Thursday Nailor (hand) practiced fully Thursday.

Impact Nailor suffered a hand injury in practice Aug. 14 and was sidelined until getting back on the field for Wednesday's unofficial session. With no limitations to speak of one day later, he's set to handle WR reps behind veterans Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen to begin the season due to Jordan Addison's three-game suspension. In a part-time role last year, Nailor gathered in 28 of 42 targets for 414 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

NFL draft retention rates reveal the best and worst teams at keeping picks

Building a successful NFL team through the draft is crucial, but it's not easy

SEPTEMBER 4 • Associated Press

Returns to practice Nailor (hand) returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since Aug. 14, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Impact It's not clear how much Nailor was able to do in practice, but this is a positive sign for his chances to play in Week 1. More should be known on his status when the Vikings start releasing official practice reports Thursday ahead of Monday's game at Chicago. Nailor could take on an increased role early in the campaign with Jordan Addison set to miss the first three weeks while suspended, but the acquisition of Adam Thielen may limit his upside,

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Headlines 7 NFL QBs to Watch in Week 1

From veterans starting over to the No. 1 overall pick just starting out, here are the quarterbacks with the best storylines in Week 1.

SEPTEMBER 3 • FOX SPORTS

Trending toward playing Week 1 The Vikings have optimism that Nailor (hand) will be able to play against Chicago in Week 1 as long as he doesn't have any setbacks, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Nailor has been dealing with a hand injury since mid-August and played in only one of Minnesota's three preseason contests while missing multiple weeks of practice. Nonetheless, it appears he's more likely than not to suit up Week 1 provided that he doesn't hit any more roadblocks between now and next Sunday. Nailor could take on an increased role early in the campaign with Jordan Addison set to miss the first three weeks while suspended.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Adam Thielen relishes his return home to the Vikings after a two-year family adventure with Panthers

Adam Thielen has returned to the Minnesota Vikings after a trade with the Carolina Panthers

AUGUST 29 • Associated Press

Vikings fans finally get the Jalen Nailor injury update they've been waiting for The status of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor's injured hand has been uncertain and unconfirmed, but now there is some clarity.

AUGUST 28 • THEVIKINGAGE.COM

2025 NFL Preseason Buzz: Patriots Release S Jabrill Peppers in Surprise Move

With the 2025 season right around the corner, we're tracking the latest on what's happening around the NFL this preseason.

AUGUST 27 • FOX SPORTS

Vikings, WR Adam Thielen Reunite in Trade With Panthers

The Minnesota Vikings have acquired veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen from the Carolina Panthers, filling a desperate need at wide receiver...

AUGUST 27 • FOX SPORTS

Facing competition from Thielen Nailor (hand) has new competition for playing time after the Vikings traded for WR Adam Thielen on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Nailor's hand injury seemingly was part of the motivation for the trade, potentially rendering him unavailable during the same part of the season when Jordan Addison will be suspended (Weeks 1-3). With rookie Tai Felton (arm) also banged up and perhaps not considered ready for a full-time role, the Vikings spent days trying to pry Thielen away from Carolina without giving up an early draft pick. Nailor, meanwhile, hasn't practiced in two weeks, with Darren Wolfson of KSTP reporting in mid-August that the Vikings were concerned about his hand injury. Vikings coach Kevin Stefanski said Nailor was week-to-week and declined to comment on whether surgery was a possibility.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Facing competition from Thielen Nailor (hand) has new competition for playing time after the Vikings traded for WR Adam Thielen on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Nailor's hand injury seemingly was part of the motivation for the trade, potentially rendering him unavailable during the same part of the season when Jordan Addison will be suspended (Weeks 1-3). With rookie Tai Felton (arm) also banged up and perhaps not considered ready for a full-time role, the Vikings spent days trying to pry Thielen away from Carolina without giving up an early draft pick. Nailor, meanwhile, hasn't practiced in two weeks, with Darren Wolfson of KSTP reporting in mid-August that the Vikings were concerned about his hand injury. Vikings coach Kevin Stefanski said Nailor was week-to-week and declined to comment on whether surgery was a possibility.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Vikings bring back veteran Adam Thielen for WR depth in trade with the Panthers

The Minnesota Vikings have reacquired veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen from the Carolina Panthers

AUGUST 27 • Associated Press

What's Standing in Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy's Way as He Nears NFL Debut

As he prepares for his long-awaited NFL debut, J.J. McCarthy's seemingly ideal situation has gotten a little complicated. Here's why.

AUGUST 21 • FOX SPORTS

Panthers WR Adam Thielen A Trade Target For Vikings? Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Vikings are "seriously exploring acquiring a veteran receiver sometime in the next several days." With...

AUGUST 21 • NFLTRADERUMORS.CO