The Minnesota Vikings were holding out hope that Adam Thielen's hamstring would improve heading into Week 14, but it doesn't appear that that will happen.
According to Chris Tomasson of The St. Paul Pioneer Press, Thielen is not practicing on Friday, which all but inevitably means he will not play in the Vikings' matchup with the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The wide receiver initially injured his hamstring back in Week 7 and missed the first game of his NFL career in Week 8. He returned in Week 9, but only saw limited action before re-aggravating the injury.
Thielen has been sidelined ever since.
In the eight games he has played this season, Thielen has logged 27 catches for 391 yards and six touchdowns.
The 29-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Minnesota State, Mankato went undrafted before eventually landing with Minnesota in 2014.
Thielen had a very small role over his first couple of seasons, tallying just 20 grabs in 2014 and 2015 combined. However, in 2016, he broke out, catching 69 passes for 967 yards and five scores, and the following year, he showed even more improvement, hauling in 91 receptions for 1,276 yards while reaching the end zone four times, making his first Pro Bowl.
The Detroit Lakes, Minn. native then enjoyed the best season of his career to date in 2018, snaring 113 balls for 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns, earning his second straight Pro Bowl selection.
The Vikings are 8-4 on the year and are currently in sole possession of the second Wild Card spot in the NFC. They shouldn't need Thielen to beat the lowly Lions this weekend, but they will certainly need him back for the stretch run.
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