Adam Thielen
File-This Jan. 3, 2021, file photo shows the NFL logo on the field before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders in Denver. The NFL and NFL Players Association have updated COVID-19 protocols to loosen restrictions for fully vaccinated players and to encourage others to get the vaccine. Unvaccinated players must continue to get daily testing, wear masks and practice physical distancing. They won’t be allowed to eat meals with teammates, can’t participate in media or marketing activities while traveling, aren’t permitted to use the sauna or steam room and may not leave the team hotel or interact with people outside the team while traveling. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
NFL loosening many COVID restrictions for vaccinated players

By Rob Maaddi Jun. 16, 2021 03:48 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter warms up before the team's NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Minneapolis. Hunter made his first appearance on the practice field, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, after skipping the previous spring sessions. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King, File)
Vikes further bolster front by signing DT Sheldon Richardson

By Dave Campbell Jun. 15, 2021 06:30 PM EDT

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) reacts after his fifth touchdown of the game, in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings54 in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Saints' Kamara has come through with his best season yet

By Brett Martel Dec. 28, 2020 07:36 PM EST

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson wears special My Cause My Cleats shoes before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
'My Cause My Cleats' campaign has taken a foothold in NFL

By Arnie Stapleton Dec. 08, 2020 02:21 AM EST

Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson (30) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) and cornerback Kris Boyd (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Vikings outlast error-prone Jags 27-24 on Bailey's OT kick

By Dave Campbell Dec. 06, 2020 05:16 PM EST

FILE - Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock, center, jokes with backup quarterbacks Jeff Driskel, left, and Brett Rypien during an NFL football practice in Englewood, Colo., in this Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, file photo. The Broncos activated three quarterbacks—starter Lock and backups Rypien and Blake Bortles—from the COVID-19 list Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, to insure that the team will not be without quarterbacks on the roster for the game against the Chiefs in Kansas City on Sunday as the Broncos were last Sunday when hosting the New Orleans Saints. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
The virus's toll: How 32 NFL teams have been hit by COVID-19

By The Associated Press Dec. 04, 2020 04:32 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates with tight end Tyler Conklin (83) after he ran a pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins in for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Minneapolis, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via AP)
Vikings still committed to core, as Jaguars starting over

By Dave Campbell Dec. 03, 2020 05:54 PM EST

FILE - This Feb.16, 2020, file photo shows South Florida's Shae Leverett, left, and Connecticut's Olivia Nelson-Ododa during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tampa, Fla. UConn, one of the original members of the Big East Conference, is hoping a return to the league will help put the Huskies back among the elite programs in college basketball. The Huskies spent seven years in the American Athletic Conference, on a mostly downward trajectory since winning a fourth national title in 2014. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson, File)
The Latest: Iowa St women's hoops coach in quarantine

By The Associated Press Nov. 23, 2020 10:36 AM EST

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) watches the final minutes from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
The Latest: Cowboys win, NFC East teams all have 3 wins

By The Associated Press Nov. 22, 2020 12:55 PM EST

Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles tries to throw under pressure from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (95) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. Foles was injured on the play and left the game. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Cousins steps back to forefront for Vikings with Cook slowed

By Dave Campbell Nov. 17, 2020 06:10 PM EST

Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) bobbles a catch in the end zone as Minnesota Vikings defensive back Holton Hill (24) defends the play during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Justin time: Vikings have full trust in rookie WR Jefferson

By Dave Campbell Oct. 05, 2020 08:25 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) runs a route against Indianapolis Colts safety Khari Willis (37) during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Indianapolis. Vikings rookie Justin Jefferson isn't used to losing, coming from LSU, but the first two games of his NFL career have been decisive defeats. The struggling Vikings need their first-round draft pick wide receiver to develop quickly in a season that's already on the brink. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Struggling Vikings need rookie WR Jefferson to develop fast

By Dave Campbell Sep. 24, 2020 09:01 PM EDT

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Brady's 1st game with Bucs ends in 34-23 loss at New Orleans

By The Associated Press Sep. 13, 2020 08:13 PM EDT

A lone fan has his picture taken in front of U.S. Bank Stadium before an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Rodgers at ease as Packers roll past Vikings 43-34

By Dave Campbell Sep. 13, 2020 06:11 PM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019, in Minneapolis. The coronavirus pandemic scuttled most college pro days, wiped out all rookie minicamps and obliterated the NFL's traditional offseason. "Honestly, I probably wouldn't be in the NFL if this would've happened my rookie year," said Vikings two-time Pro Bowl receiver Adam Thielen, who went undrafted in 2013 out of Minnesota State but parlayed an impressive weekend at a rookie minicamp into a practice squad job and eventually a roster spot.(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Long shots in NFL face even longer odds during pandemic

By Arnie Stapleton Sep. 03, 2020 02:32 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) does neck stretch the NFL football team's training camp Monday Aug. 24, 2020, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Zimmer, remodeled Vikings defense not buying regression

By Dave Campbell Aug. 27, 2020 04:54 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2019, file photo, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller smiles while watching an NBA basketball game between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma Thunder in Denver. When the coronavirus pandemic forced everyone indoors — away from their everyday environments — creativity was the key. To working. To keeping in touch. And, for those making their living playing on football fields, to thinking up ways to bond as teammates. Denver's linebackers and defensive ends were treated to some entertainment every week by star Von Miller — aka DJ Sauce Von the Don — who fully recovered after testing positive for COVID-19 in April. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
NFL teams went high-tech for team bonding this offseason

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Jun. 19, 2020 11:20 AM EDT

FILE - In this April 16, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen stretches before practice at the Twin Cities Orthopedic Center in Eagan, Minn. The Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams all decided to end their offseason programs even with the NFL allowing two more weeks to keep working. So did the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals and Washington Redskins. Turns out there's only so much that can be done virtually. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP, File)
Coaches, players make best of NFL's 1st virtual offseason

By Teresa M. Walker Jun. 16, 2020 12:57 PM EDT

A parking lot is nearly empty in front of the Indianapolis Colts training facility, Tuesday, May 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. Coaching staffs and all players except those undergoing injury rehabilitation are barred from the facilities in the first phase of the league's plan. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
NFL teams can reopen training facilities with government OK

By Barry Wilner May. 19, 2020 12:29 PM EDT

CORRECTS LOCATION TO THE PLAINS, OHIO, INSTEAD OF ATHENS, OHIO - In this still image from video provided by the NFL, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, in The Plains, Ohio, is chosen first by the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2020. (NFL via AP)
The Latest: SEC breaks draft record with 15 1st-round picks

By The Associated Press Apr. 23, 2020 08:26 PM EDT