A pain in the neck, and this one will linger

Chicago Bears defensive back Deon Bush (26) was called for a facemask penalty on Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19), helping set up a late second quarter field goal. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com The Minnesota Vikings faced the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game Sunday afternoon, December 30, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Wide receiver Adam Thielen spent large portions of the season far away from defenders while he piled up receptions. On Sunday, he didn’t stay far enough away from Bears defensive back Deon Bush, who yanked him down by his facemask. The violence led to a penalty and a Vikings field goal, neither of which changed this: Thielen has a few months to get over his sore neck. (a26) was called for a facemask penalty on Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19), helping set up a late second quarter field goal. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com The Minnesota Vikings faced the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game Sunday afternoon, December 30, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)