Even though the Vikings opted not to activate standout receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) from injured reserve ahead of Monday's contest, Osborn still ranked just third among Minnesota pass catchers in targets, trailing fellow wideout Jordan Addison (10) and tight end T.J. Hockenson (six). With Jefferson seemingly trending toward a return to the lineup Dec. 10 against Las Vegas following the Vikings' Week 13 bye, Osborn will be pushed down another spot Minnesota's pass-catching hierarchy and could see even more infrequent looks in the passing game.
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Receiving
| Year | Team | GP | REC | TGTS | YDS | AVG | TDS | LNG | YAC | YDS/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | MIN | 11 | 36 | 55 | 418 | 12 | 2 | 36 | 152 | 38 |
| 2022 | MIN | 17 | 60 | 90 | 650 | 11 | 5 | 66 | 300 | 38 |
| 2021 | MIN | 17 | 50 | 82 | 655 | 13 | 7 | 64 | 179 | 39 |
Rushing
Even though the Vikings opted not to activate standout receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) from injured reserve ahead of Monday's contest, Osborn still ranked just third among Minnesota pass catchers in targets, trailing fellow wideout Jordan Addison (10) and tight end T.J. Hockenson (six). With Jefferson seemingly trending toward a return to the lineup Dec. 10 against Las Vegas following the Vikings' Week 13 bye, Osborn will be pushed down another spot Minnesota's pass-catching hierarchy and could see even more infrequent looks in the passing game.
Osborn returned after missing a game due to a concussion. He started opposite Jordan Addison and played on 71 of the offense's 75 snaps, so he was back to his full role. However, he didn't see many targets with the Vikings struggling to pass the ball more than a few yards down field .
After Osborn was carted off the field during the Week 9 win over the Falcons upon bearing the brunt of a helmet-to-helmet hit, he made surprisingly quick progress through the five-step concussion protocol. He resumed practicing in a limited fashion last Thursday, practiced fully Friday and passed the final phase of the protocol when he gained clearance from an independent neurologist Saturday, but the Vikings ultimately opted to hold Osborn out of an eventual 27-19 win over the Saints on Sunday as a precaution. Osborn apparently hasn't taken any steps backward in his recovery from the brain injury since the weekend, and with a full practice under his belt to open Week 11 prep, he shouldn't face any restrictions in Denver.
Matthew Coller of 1500 ESPN reports that Osborn progressed to full participation Friday after returning to practice Thursday as a limited participant. He'll still need clearance from an independent neurologist, whereas fellow pass catchers Justin Jefferson (hamstring) and T.J. Hockenson (ribs) -- both listed as questionable -- likely will consult with team doctors before a decision is made on their availability. The Vikings and Saints have an early afternoon kickoff at 1 ET.
After taking a helmet-to-helmet hit in the second quarter, Osborn stayed down on the turf for a spell as he was tended to by the Vikings' medical staff. He eventually was able to get to his feet and then was escorted to the locker room on a cart. With Justin Jefferson (hamstring) on injured reserve and Jalen Nailor (hamstring) inactive, Minnesota's healthy and available wide receivers are Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson and N'Keal Harry.
Osborn took a wicked helmet-to-helmet hit from Falcons cornerback Dee Alford in the second quarter and remained on the turf for some time. After he was tended to by the Vikings' medical staff, Osborn got to his feet and made his way to the cart. If he's unable to return, he'll finish Week 9 with two catches (on two targets) for 17 yards.
Osborn operated with a cap on his practice reps Wednesday and Thursday due to a chest injury, but it won't impact his availability for Week 9 action. The biggest question mark for Osborn moving forward is who will be throwing him passes in the weeks ahead after Kirk Cousins was lost for the season due to a torn Achilles. The Vikings are in line to start rookie fifth-rounder Jaren Hall on Sunday, but the team also acquired Joshua Dobbs from the Cardinals on Tuesday.
The fourth-year wideout led Minnesota in catches, yards and targets, but it was Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson on the end of TD passes from Kirk Cousins. The quarterback suffered what's feared to be a season-ending Achilles tear late in Sunday's game, and his loss would impact the production and ceiling of all the team's receiving options, including Osborn. Jaren Hall, a fifth-round pick in 2023, will likely be under center in Week 9 against the Falcons, with veteran backup Nick Mullens (back) eligible to come off IR as soon as Week 10.
Team
Minnesota Vikings
Birthdate
6/10/1997 (26)
Status
Active
HT/WT
5'11", 203 lbs
Draft Info
2020: Rd 5; Pk 176 (MIN)
Birthplace
Ypsilanti, MI, USA
Position
WR
College
Miami (FL)
Experience
4th season
Career History
Minnesota Vikings
2020 - Present
(4 seasons)
Previous Game
10
Final
12
3
REC
34
YDS
0
TDS
2023 Season Stats
REC
REC YDS
REC TDS
YAC
AVG YDS
36
418
2
152
12
