Vikings Place Jalen Nailor on Injured Reserve, Sign Lucky Jackson, Intoxicate 2 Corners for Week 18
EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Saturday placed receiver Jalen Nailor on Injured Reserve and signed receiver Lucky Jackson to the 53-man roster ahead of visiting the Detroit Lions for the Week 18 regular-season finale.
Jackson has been elevated from the practice squad in each of the past two weeks, playing two offensive snaps and 20 on special teams.
Nailor has dealt with multiple injuries during his second NFL season. The final one proved to be a concussion he suffered at Las Vegas on Dec. 3.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell ruled Nailor out Friday and said he still had “very, very limited symptoms.”
“Our responsibility is to make sure they’ve been fully medically cleared, and that has not happened yet. I do believe Jalen will be able to have a full offseason, and I do believe he’s a guy that we’ll really continue to pour into and will have a very bright future,” O’Connell said. “It’s been a tough year for him, injury-wise, dating back to, really, the first day of training camp. But all we ask Jalen to do is to control what he can control, which is continuing to progress and work. And when we can get him back out there, it’ll be great for the Minnesota Vikings.”
Nailor finished his second season with three catches for 29 yards on six targets after recording nine for 179 on 13 targets as a rookie.
The Vikings also elevated cornerbacks Joejuan Williams and Jaylin Williams from their practice squad a day after ruling out cornerbacks Byron Murphy, Jr., and Mekhi Blackmon.
Joejuan Williams spent training camp with the Vikings and then was signed by the Bears off Minnesota’s practice squad. He appeared in four games for Chicago in October before his release. The Vikings brought him back to their practice squad and elevated him for their Week 11 game at Denver in which he recorded a tackle and had a pass breakup in the end zone.
The veteran played 17 defensive snaps and 14 special teams snaps for the Vikings against the Broncos.
Jaylin Williams is an undrafted rookie who has been elevated from Minnesota’s practice squad the past two games and made his NFL debut against the Lions in Week 16. He’s played 13 defensive snaps and 17 on special teams.
Minnesota (7-9) needs a **win and help** in multiple other games to make the playoffs. Detroit (11-5) has already clinched the NFC North and is currently the No. 3 seed with a shot at the No. 2 but also needs help in other games for that to happen. Click **here** for the Week 18 NFC Playoff Picture.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon (CT) Sunday.
Leave a Reply