Vikings' Adam Thielen has season-ending surgery; Dalvin Cook off COVID-19 list

The 7-8 Minnesota Vikings mixed some good news with an unfortunate update on Wednesday as they prepare for the upcoming "Sunday Night Football" clash at the 12-3 Green Bay Packers.

ESPN's Courtney Cronin reports that Minnesota star wide receiver Adam Thielen underwent season-ending surgery on his injured left ankle earlier this week. Thielen was placed on injured reserve due to the setback he first suffered against the Detroit Lions back on Dec. 5 and then aggravated versus the Los Angeles Rams this past Sunday. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero (h/t Kevin Patra) says Thielen will be sidelined at least a month. 

Per ESPN stats, Thielen leads the Vikings with 10 touchdown receptions and is second on the team with 67 catches, 95 targets and 726 receiving yards. 

Additionally, Minnesota activated Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook off the reserve/COVID-19 list after he missed the loss to the Rams. Without Cook available, backup Alexander Mattison was held to 41 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries versus Los Angeles. Cook, meanwhile, leads the Vikings with 1,067 rushing yards on 226 attempts. 

Minnesota remains in the playoff hunt but is essentially heading into a pair of must-win games over the first two weekends of the new year.