Minnesota Vikings get positive injury news that could vault them to a win vs. Chicago Bears

The Minnesota Vikings are hopeful to get wide receiver Jalen Nailor back for week one against the Chicago Bears after suffering a hand injury in practice against the New England Patriots during training camp, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Earlier this week, the Vikings ended up trading for Adam Thielen with a big pick swap that ended up sending a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. It solidified the wide receiver position for the Vikings with the uncertainty of Nailor's health.

Vikings are optimistic for Jalen Nailor to return Week 1 vs. Bears

With the news from Fowler that there is optimism for his return in week one, it gives the Vikings a lot of different elements to attack the Bears.

Nailor's best ability is to stretch the field, something that the Vikings could use with Jordan Addison serving his three-game suspension. Justin Jefferson is capable of doing that, but it's not the best part of his game, which is his nuanced ability to create separation with his route running. Having Nailor to stretch the field theoretically should open up the intermediate and underneath areas by drawing the safeties away. It's one reason why the Vikings like dagger so much.

This is where things get interesting for the Vikings. Having both Nailor and Thielen will allow head coach Kevin O'Connell to be multiple in his attack down the field. Nailor is going to be your field stretcher, but Thielen is much better in the red zone and working in short spaces.