Vikings receiver depth remains a question after Saturday’s preseason loss to the Patriots

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was on the TV broadcast of Saturday’s 20-12 preseason loss to the New England Patriots during the third quarter when he dropped an expletive on a live microphone because of an error by a backup wide receiver.

“Excited about this play call, fellas,” O’Connell told the broadcast before the snap. “We’ve got a fast motion — oh, no.”

O’Connell then let out a choice word as receiver Myles Price was flagged for illegal motion, negating Price’s 18-yard catch that could’ve jump-started a drive with quarterback Max Brosmer.

Price, an undrafted rookie out of Indiana and Texas Tech, had two big returns on special teams, but drops and mental errors continued to plague a Vikings receiving corps with lingering questions about depth ahead of the regular season.

Price said he was confused about whether he was supposed to be on or off the line of scrimmage, jumping forward onto the line at the last second before the snap.

“Man, that was just a mental error,” Price said. “I thought the tight end was off [the line], but he wasn’t and everyone was like, ‘Myles, get on! Get on!’ Just a mental mistake that can’t happen again.”

He wasn’t alone in a day the Vikings offense failed to score a touchdown.

Receiver Lucky Jackson started, but dropped two passes in the first half. Receiver Tim Jones, who accrued one of the team’s four penalties on special teams, dropped another pass in the fourth quarter. Receiver Jeshaun Jones spent time in the medical tent while battling an illness.

“One explosive taken back to start a drive and then we end up in third-and-a-million,” O’Connell said of Price’s penalty, “and obviously we had another chance on a go ball [to Tim Jones] that was right there.”

There’s still more coaches want to see from receivers battling for a roster spot before the initial 53-man roster is set on Aug. 26.

“We’re going to continue to see [Price] among many others in that receiver room,” O’Connell said. “Especially this week. Just want to continue to see it play out.”

The Vikings will be without Addison to start the season because of a three-game suspension. Jefferson hasn’t practiced since July 24 due to a hamstring strain. The team is also still evaluating Nailor’s hand injury from Thursday’s practice.

The Vikings rested at least 31 players, including all 22 starters, against the Patriots. Those included valued role players such as fullback C.J. Ham, outside linebacker Dallas Turner, cornerback Jeff Okudah, safety Theo Jackson, running back Jordan Mason, linebacker Eric Wilson and swing tackle Justin Skule.

Defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez did not play while recovering from an ankle injury.

Rookie outside linebacker Tyler Batty exited the game in the second quarter with a wrist injury, according to O’Connell. Offensive lineman Henry Byrd, who started at left tackle, was knocked out of the game with an ankle injury.

Price did give the Vikings a needed jolt on special teams.

He first saved a touchdown on kick coverage when he caught Patriots returner Jeremiah Webb from behind on a 59-yard sprint just before halftime. Price later found room on a 20-yard punt return. He then really turned on the jets during an 81-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter — before being caught himself.

The Vikings are still cycling through both kick and punt returner options, although O’Connell said coaches feel good about rookie Tai Felton‘s skill set, adding that he just needs experience.

“One of the reasons he’s here,” O’Connell said of Felton, who had a 21-yard kickoff return and a fair catch on his only punt return.

Kicker Will Reichard made all four field goal attempts, including a 54-yarder. Punter Ryan Wright held for the first make, and rookie punter Oscar Chapman was the holder on the other three.

“We had a couple silly penalties running out of bounds,” O’Connell said, “but I thought as a whole between Will Reichard making some big-time kicks, some physicality there in the kicking game units, and in the return game there were some positives that I think we’ll be able to take out of this.”

Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs, the dynamic former Vikings target from 2015-2019, did not play in his return to U.S. Bank Stadium. Diggs, 31, practiced against the Vikings this week during two joint practices, but has yet to play in a game for his fourth NFL team.

Kicker John Parker Romo, competing for a job with Andy Borregales, made his only field goal try: a 28-yard kick in the fourth quarter. He was also penalized on a kickoff for not hitting the landing zone. Romo made 18 of 20 kicks for the Vikings during a four-game stint last year replacing Reichard.

Three former Vikings linemen — center Garrett Bradbury, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga — also played in their returns to Minnesota.