![Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Chad Beebe (12) had a pass slip through his hands in the first half. ]](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/UOM3CKHAD27ZX2GBR45F7PRYGU.jpg?&w=1080)
Saturday night, Vikings receiver Adam Thielen ran a route over the middle, took a hit, then limped to the sideline.
A minute later, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer sought out Thielen, who pointed at his right leg.
After the game, Zimmer said Thielen has a thigh bruise, but these are the Vikings and this is 2021 so let's apply this disclaimer: Problems may be more worrisome than they first appear.
The Vikings on Saturday lost to the Indianapolis Colts 12-10 at U.S. Bank Stadium, in a game that marred an excellent halftime show featuring dogs.
Fans in attendance, perhaps finally realizing that preseason NFL games are a scam, did the wave and threw their programs into the air, causing the public address announcer to ask them to stop, which caused them to throw even more programs into the air. But enough of the game highlights.
The Vikings may not allow another starter to take another game snap until the regular season begins, and they have discovered more problems than they have solved this month.
The Vikings' offseason began with optimism because of the rebuilt defensive line and the potential rebuilding of the offensive line. The return of Danielle Hunter alone would have made a difference; adding Dalvin Tomlinson and Michael Pierce to a group that mimicked roadkill last year could make the defensive front a team strength again.
That kind of optimism has not persisted.
