The Vikings are holding out hope receiver Adam Thielen's sprained left ankle will allow him to return on Monday night at Chicago.
But Thielen did not practice this week, sitting out Friday's walkthrough after going through warmups on a taped ankle. He's officially listed questionable. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said they're "counting" on Thielen, though his availability might come down to a game-time call. He has missed most of the past two games since he was tackled low Dec. 5 in Detroit, but he is expected to travel with the team.
If Thielen sits out, receiver K.J. Osborn would draw another start and rookie Ihmir Smith-Marsette could be the No. 3 receiver. Receiver Dede Westbrook remained quarantined on the reserve/COVID-19 list as of Saturday afternoon.
"He's always been very talented," Zimmer said of Smith-Marsette, the fifth-round pick. "He's starting to get better at understanding the nuances of the game as far as where to lineup, how to run routes, how to set up defenders."
Left tackle Christian Darrisaw will make his return from an ankle injury suffered against the 49ers last month. The first-round rookie was replaced against the Lions and Steelers by Oli Udoh, who could be headed to the bench as one of the NFL's most-penalized players with Darrisaw returning.
Zimmer stopped short of declaring the team's plans, but he made it sound like coaches would keep Garrett Bradbury at center and Mason Cole at right guard.
Udoh "feels more comfortable at tackle" than guard, according to Zimmer, indicating the team's experiment with Udoh at right guard has concluded. He started the first 11 games there before Darrisaw's injury led to a return to tackle, Udoh's original position.
"It happens a little fast at guard," Zimmer said. "He's got such great athleticism and size, and really good physicality. He's a really smart kid, so he's been able to [move around]. But he does feel more comfortable at tackle."
