Minnesota Vikings DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (hip) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Jones had a solid debut with the Vikings in Week 1 but was less effective in Week 2. He has 126 rushing yards and a touchdown to go along with seven receptions for 51 yards through two games. Jones has been dominant in his snap share over third-year running back Ty Chandler which should continue in Week 3. The hip injury is new. However, given that Jones was able to practice in some capacity on Wednesday, the alarm for fantasy managers should not be too high just yet.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (quad) took part in the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday, and head coach Kevin O'Connell said the plan is to get him more work later in the week. Jefferson suffered what seems to be a minor quad injury in the win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2, and it doesn't sound like he's at much risk of missing the Week 3 game against the Houston Texans. By no surprise, Jefferson is the WR4 on the season and is averaging 17.6 half-PPR points per game through two weeks. Quarterback Sam Darnold has looked like a solid start thus far, and there is no scenario where Jefferson should be benched in leagues of all shapes and sizes. As demonstrated by his 97-yard receiving touchdown last week, he's a threat to score from anywhere on the field.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor has impressed head coach Kevin O'Connell so far this season with Jordan Addison (ankle) missing time and allowing Nailor to see more time on the field. O'Connell specifically was pleased with the speed Nailor has shown and the separation he has been able to get on his routes against man coverage. Nailor was targeted four times and caught three passes for 54 yards in Week 2 against the 49ers. Justin Jefferson (quad) is also a little banged up so there is an opportunity for Nailor to continue to see targets in this offense. He is a sneaky speculative waiver-wire pickup this week as the Vikings' injury situation at wide receiver continues to play out.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell praised wide receiver Jalen Nailor, highlighting his speed and versatility: "I just was really, really happy just how fast he played. Even on routes he wasn't targeted, you could see the separation and his ability to win against man coverage." In the Vikings' 23-17 victory over the 49ers, Nailor caught three of four targets for 54 yards and a touchdown, finishing second in receiving yards behind Justin Jefferson (quadriceps). His 10-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter marked his second touchdown in as many weeks. With Jordan Addison sidelined due to an ankle injury, Nailor played 93% of offensive snaps, becoming a key contributor. Despite flying under the radar, he's only minimally rostered in leagues but could be a valuable speculative add if Jefferson or Addison miss time. In a potential high-scoring Week 3 matchup against the Texans, Nailor could step in as the No. 2 wideout for Sam Darnold.

When asked about wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle), Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said he's "hopeful" about his progress this week regarding his return to practice. Addison picked up an ankle injury in the team's 28-6 Week 1 victory over the New York Giants. Still, he hadn't made enough progress throughout the week to appear at practice in even a limited fashion. Giants linebacker Darius Muasau took down the second-year wideout with a "hip-drop" tackle -- one that has recently been deemed illegal -- and was fittingly fined for the unnecessary roughness. Expect an update on the 22-year-old over the coming days when the Vikings release their first official injury report of the week. If he cannot play, wide receiver Jordan Nailor will continue to fill in for Addison when the team takes on the Houston Texans at home in Week 3. Nailor has caught a touchdown in back-to-back weeks and hauled in 3-of-4 targets in Week 2 for 54 yards. He would be a low-end WR3/FLEX play.